The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving
Product ID: 14341827
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Winner of the American Horticultural Society Award for Excellence In Garden Book Publishing Winner of the Silver Medal for Best Reference from the Garden Writer’s Association Filled with advice for the home gardener and the more seasoned horticulturist alike, The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving provides straightforward instruction on collecting seed that is true-to-type and ready for sowing in next year’s garden. In this comprehensive book, Seed Savers Exchange, one of the foremost American authorities on the subject, and the Organic Seed Alliance bring together decades of knowledge to demystify the time-honored tradition of saving the seed of more than seventy-five coveted vegetable and herb crops—from heirloom tomatoes and long-favored varieties of beans, lettuces, and cabbages to centuries-old varieties of peppers and grains. With clear instructions, lush photographs, and easy-to-comprehend profiles on individual vegetable crops, this book not only teaches us how to go about conserving these important varieties for future generations and for planting out in next year’s garden, it also provides a deeper understanding of the importance of saving these genetically valuable varieties of vegetables that have evolved over the centuries through careful selection by farmers and home gardeners. Through simple lessons and master classes on crop selection, pollination, roguing, and the processes of harvesting and storing seeds, this book ensures that these time-honored traditions can continue. Many of these vegetable varieties are treasured for traits that are singular to their strain, whether that is a resistance to disease, an ability to grow well in a region for which that crop is not typically well suited, resistance to early bolting, or simply because it is a great-tasting variety. In an age of genetically modified crops and hybrid seed, a growing appreciation for saving seeds of these time-tested, open-pollinated cultivars has found a new audience from home vegetable gardeners and cooks to restaurant chefs and local farmers. Whether interested in simply saving seeds for home use or working to conserve rare varieties of beloved squashes and tomatoes, this book provides a deeper understanding of the art, the science, and the joy of saving seeds. Review: WOW - awesome reference book - great pics - great info - Like other reviewers, I am a bit stunned at the in-depth plant profiles - far beyond my expectations, no wimpy lists with two lines of information for each plant and the coffee table size of this book. What a wonderful surprise! The pictures rival any coffee table garden book:), yes, they do! While I didn't realize that this book is only about vegetables I was pleased to see that it included six large pages about sunflowers . Turns out the "Daisy" plant that lived in my garden for years was really a Sunflower:) Helianthus tuberosus aka Jerusalem Artichoke a perennial veggie. I hadn't considered growing sunflowers for seed, but after reading up on those big, bold and beautiful Helianthus annuus I think I'll give it a try both for me and the birds:). If you are a "prepper" I bet you'll love this book because it includes great information on an assortment of grains, beans and potatoes. I was happy to see profiles on Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Garlic, Chives, Celery - all of them in my Tampa Bay area garden. My next foray will be into Amaranth, Chicory and Peanut - all represented in this book. Currently trying out Leek and Endives (just sprouted) you gotta love fall gardening in Florida. This book goes well beyond basic information - the Master Class section takes it to the next level. Overall this book is a solid ten stars - five stars do not do it justice. It is a steal at this price and a beautiful reference book you can use for years to come. My only criticism is the organization - it would have been nice to have a separate section on the many grains and beans (rice, buckwheat, quinoa, oats ... ) instead of presenting everything under its Latin name - but then I discovered in the appendix there is an alphabetical list - so I can find Rice under "R". Highly recommended - amazing bang for the buck. Review: A highly informative book - These book is about saving seeds and what you need to know. It has two main sections. The first sections explains in detail all aspects botany pertaining to seeds saving and preservation of genetic diversity of crops. The second section has particulars for each plant in two or three pages. It also has a glossary and charts for quick comparisons of plants. This is a very thorough book, but is simple enough for the average gardener.
| Best Sellers Rank | #100,640 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #52 in Sustainable Agriculture (Books) #85 in Vegetable Gardening #98 in Organic & Sustainable Gardening & Horticulture |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 292 Reviews |
R**E
WOW - awesome reference book - great pics - great info
Like other reviewers, I am a bit stunned at the in-depth plant profiles - far beyond my expectations, no wimpy lists with two lines of information for each plant and the coffee table size of this book. What a wonderful surprise! The pictures rival any coffee table garden book:), yes, they do! While I didn't realize that this book is only about vegetables I was pleased to see that it included six large pages about sunflowers . Turns out the "Daisy" plant that lived in my garden for years was really a Sunflower:) Helianthus tuberosus aka Jerusalem Artichoke a perennial veggie. I hadn't considered growing sunflowers for seed, but after reading up on those big, bold and beautiful Helianthus annuus I think I'll give it a try both for me and the birds:). If you are a "prepper" I bet you'll love this book because it includes great information on an assortment of grains, beans and potatoes. I was happy to see profiles on Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Garlic, Chives, Celery - all of them in my Tampa Bay area garden. My next foray will be into Amaranth, Chicory and Peanut - all represented in this book. Currently trying out Leek and Endives (just sprouted) you gotta love fall gardening in Florida. This book goes well beyond basic information - the Master Class section takes it to the next level. Overall this book is a solid ten stars - five stars do not do it justice. It is a steal at this price and a beautiful reference book you can use for years to come. My only criticism is the organization - it would have been nice to have a separate section on the many grains and beans (rice, buckwheat, quinoa, oats ... ) instead of presenting everything under its Latin name - but then I discovered in the appendix there is an alphabetical list - so I can find Rice under "R". Highly recommended - amazing bang for the buck.
M**Y
A highly informative book
These book is about saving seeds and what you need to know. It has two main sections. The first sections explains in detail all aspects botany pertaining to seeds saving and preservation of genetic diversity of crops. The second section has particulars for each plant in two or three pages. It also has a glossary and charts for quick comparisons of plants. This is a very thorough book, but is simple enough for the average gardener.
V**M
Can't put it down!!
This book was delivered about an hour ago, and I forced myself to put it down--only so I could write this review...It is beautiful book visually! And then I flipped to a random page, and started reading, and couldn't stop...My mother has saved heirloom seeds for over 30 years, and at 89 years old she has turned the job over to me. I bought this book as an extra resource--so I don't screw up what my mother always did perfectly...After reading just a few of the amazing hints and information in this book, I feel confident that I will carry on my mother's legacy successfully!
M**R
I like to collect gardening books
I like to collect gardening books, so this is a good one to have. Beautiful pics and so on. It is not quite as easy to navigate for seed saving as one would like to think. Really have to dig around in the book to find what you are looking for, but it's definitely a nice resource if you have the time for looking thru the entire book.
R**8
Great information
This book has terrific information to get you on your way to seed saving. Seed saving is not as simple as you may think. It requires you to be very thoughtful about the entire process, if you want quality seed, and this book has all of the details you need.
J**.
This is the seed saver’s Bible
This book is a thorough treatise on everything one needs to know about saving seeds from plants and should be on every serious gardener’s shelf.
L**R
Highly recommended.
This book is gorgeous. When I first got it, I thought it might be a little advanced for me as I am a casual gardener who is looking to start seed collecting. But it has all the information you need right at your fingertips with copious helpful hints. I was a little intimidated at first but definitely look forward to getting started now that I know what I need to do. The book itself has bountiful gorgeous pictures and it well put together. Highly recommended.
L**L
Its a very rich book with a good deal of detail and quality pictures
Reading this book now. i'm very impressed. Its a very rich book with a good deal of detail and quality pictures. i especially liked the species focused information. This helps not only seed management, but understanding specific plants better in the garden. Definitely a great book and great reference for my garden library.
W**Y
FOR GARDENERS WHO CARE ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION WILL HAVE ON THEIR PLATES!!!!!!!
I had just joined online group called Seed Savers Exchange to peruse available heritage food seeds. Later the same week, I bought this book WITHOUT realizing it was authored by the SSE!!!!! DUH ME RIGHT LOL.....This book contains everything you need to know about seed saving heritage seeds. It's an easy read for all and goes into detail where you need it to. I have a tendency to discover the best of the best when I'm focused on one thing... which is why I researched, albeit a little quickly, through hundreds of books.... the irony is it's compiled by the most knowledgeable men and women in the subject!!!!! FOR GARDENERS WHO CARE ABOUT WHAT THE CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATION WILL HAVE ON THEIR PLATES.... THIS IS A MUST-HAVE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
K**C
purchased after recommended
Purchased this item after it was recommended at a seed lecture that I attended, where the lecturer had a copy of this book. Pleased to quickly find a discounted perfect copy of this book online.
S**E
No
Way too expensive. No info on anything.
Trustpilot
1 day ago
5 days ago