Have you considered saving seeds with your students? How do you know which seeds you can successfully save for next year’s garden and how do you begin? Are there any lesson plans you can use to guide you? Here are several resources and links to help you get started!
From Generation to Generation An Activity Guidebook in the Living Tradition of Seed Saving by Eli Kaufman states: We dream that every child in every classroom will be given the opportunity to start seeds, grow a garden, experience the vital sensation of their hands working in the soil, the thrill of watching their seeds sprout and their plants grow, the satisfaction of working together with others to take part in a miracle. To help fulfill this dream Fedco offers From Generation to Generation, a seed education program with grade-by-grade activities to bring young gardeners through the full cycle from seed to seed. By growing gardens and saving seeds, young people can reconnect to past generations of farmers and gardeners, renew food and farming traditions in their own community and work together to plant a sustainable future.
Saving seed from your favorite plants in your school gardens is a fun end-of-the-season activity. This activity includes a materials list, instructions and a seed saving guide.
Bulletin #2750 An Introduction to Seed Saving for the Home Gardener
This bulletin gives you the basic information necessary to start saving seeds from covering plant reproduction basic to processing and storing the seeds. Reference charts, photos and helpful suggestions make this bulletin a helpful reference resource.
Seed Savers Exchange
In addition to the seed saving resources on their website including several instructional videos about processing seeds, they also sell a book called The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving filled with advice for the home gardener and the more seasoned horticulturist alike and provides straightforward instructions on how to collect and save seed from your favorite heirloom and open-pollinated plants.
Want to know more?!
- UMaine Bulletin #2750 An Introduction to Seed Saving for the Home Gardener
- From Generation to Generation: Activity Guidebook in the Living Tradition of Seed Saving from Fedco Seeds
- Save Your Seeds Activity and Seed Saving: Easy Annual Vegetables and Flowers Guide from Kids Gardening
- Seed Saving Resources at Seed Savers
- The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving Book from Seed Savers Exchange
