In 1975, a small organization was launched committed to the preservation of 'the world's diverse but endangered garden heritage for future generations'. In plain speak, Seed Savers Exchange seeks out, accepts, preserves, and makes available old seeds from throughout the world. You and I or anyone else can order heirloom seeds for food crops from this group.
How cool is that? To grow food from seeds that are in direct lineage from peppers from Russia, like the Georgia Flame, or tomatoes from Italy, like Cherry Roma, or cucumbers from a single plant on the George Starr farm in Michigan at the beginning of 1900, like Early Fortune.
I ordered a full garden's worth of seeds this year. As our family motto states 'Way overboard is a good place to start'. Okay, so I got excited. The beautiful catalog came, it was raining outside, and the pictures were so pretty, and the descriptions so vivid, and it was for the good of preserving a wonderful legacy, and, well, $80 later, my garden is sitting by my computer, packaged neatly and ready to go into the soil.
I'll keep you posted on the progress. Complete with pictures. Meanwhile, go to their website and check it out. www.seedsavers.org
