Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

152 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Field activity : Test and document seed viability

Method : Groups practical exercise

Tools : See preparation below

References : PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries

Objective : Participants practice creating a seed list and testing seed viability

Preparation

The facilitator will need to collect or prepare:

• 3 different varieties of seed with at least 50 seeds for each variety.


• A planting tray for each variety of seed with good quality planting soil.


• Identification cards or signs for each variety of seed.


• Photocopies of the ‘Community seed saving group’ section from PC Book MOD 5
  
  
  • Seed Saving and Nurseries for each participant.
  
  
  
  


• Pens and paper.

Running this exercise

Divide the participants into 3 groups.

Step 1

Create the seed and planting material list - Follow Step 8 in the “Community seed

saving group” section of PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries. Each group

can create a table as shown in the PC Book and complete it using examples of the seeds

that the facilitator has provided. Extra examples of local varieties of vegetable or fruit can

be added if time permits.

Step 2

Start a seed viability rate test - Supply each group with 1 variety of seed, a planting

tray, potting soil, identification card, pens, and paper. Follow step 9 in the “Community

seed saving group” section of PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries. Use

Method 2 – Seed testing for selling and trading seed. The participants will be able to start

this experiment and the seeds will probably start germinating at the end of the workshop.

Through group consensus, 3 participants, or representatives from the participants’

communities, could take the seed trays home to complete the rest of the seed test

after the workshop ends. Results can be sent back to the facilitator for review and the

participants will be able to plant the seedlings afterward.

Step 3

Feedback - The groups can join together to discuss the lists and preliminary results of

the seed test.

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