I’m a daughter of a seed saver. Each year, my mom carefully harvests and saves seeds from her prolific garden. A practical woman, she also taught me how to save seeds, so the beans, tomatoes, and dill that I plant today are the same seeds of the same garden goodies that I ate as a kid. The tradition is nostalgic and interesting to me. Each time I pinch a “rattlesnake pole bean” or a “scarlet runner bean” seed between my fingers, I think of my mom, her hard work, and her beloved garden. These seeds are my family’s heirlooms.
Seed savers are especially interested in the concept of heirloom varieties. The Seed Savers Exchange defines an heirloom as “any garden plant that has a history of being passed down within a family, just like pieces of heirloom jewelry or furniture. Some companies have tried to create definitions based on date, such as anything older than 50 years.”
Now you can become part of the ever-growing seed saver/heirloom seed movement. The Annual Seed Saver’s Exchange will be taking place at the Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minn. this March 10 at 2 p.m. The historic farm has been leading seed saving activities in Minnesota since 1981. Seed-saving enthusiasts will gather and celebrate the seed saving tradition with seed art and a gardening presentation. Following the presentation, a seed swap will take place. Seed savers carefully package their seeds and bring them to swap with other seed savers, and the folks at the Kelley Farm make some of their saved seeds available. And you know what’s really cool? You don’t have to bring seeds in order to take some home. The event is free and open to the public and is for novice and expert gardeners alike.
Can’t make the event? No problem. You can still get your green thumbs on some saved seeds by visiting a local store with a Seed Savers Exchange rack. Here’s a list of locations selling Seed Savers seeds:
Abrahamson Nurseries | Greenwood Plants |
Abrahamson Nurseries | Hillside Greenhouse |
Albert Lea Seed House | Just Food Coop |
Amelia’s Flower & Garden Shoppe | Kingsley Mercantile |
Andrew Skoog | Linden Hills Co-op |
Becker Pet & Garden | Linders Garden Center |
Becker Pet & Garden | Mazopiya |
Bluff County Co-op | Mississippi Market |
By The Woods/Diggin’ In | Mississippi Market |
City Center Market | Moms Food Co-op |
Cook Country Coop | Mother Earth Gardens |
Delano True Value | Rainbow Food Coop |
Drummers Garden Center | Sailers Greenhouse |
East Side Food Co-op | Seward Coop |
Eggplant Urban Farm Supply | Super Fresh Produce |
| Good Earth Food Co-op 2010 Veterans Dr. Saint Cloud, MN 56303 320-253-9290 | University of MN Lanscape Arboritum |
The Granary Food Coop | Viola Nursery and Greenhouse |
Grassroots Cooperative | Vintage Farmer |
