146 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops
Creative thinking : How to save and store seed
Method : Group and workgroup brainstorms
Tools : Black/white board or large paper, markers
References : PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries
Objective : Participants understand the reasons, methods, and techniques
for saving seeds
Step 1
Using something like the table below, the facilitator should list the following six stages of
seed saving. The answers listed below are only supplied as guidelines for the facilitator
should the participants need help or prompting for ideas and discussions.
Seed saving stages Why it is needed Methods and techniques
Stage 1: Grow healthy
plants
For our health and the
environment Use organic plants and seeds
Stage 2: Choose the best
seeds To grow the best plants
Choose whole seeds, not
deformed ones
Stage 3: Choose the
ideal time and method for
collecting the seeds from
each plant
To get better seeds
Choose healthy plants that are
ready to harvest and have no
insect damage
Stage 4: Clean the seeds To avoid fungus Soak the seeds for 1 day 1 night and then clean
Stage 5: Dry the seeds To decrease content of water to keep it a long time Cover the seed with cloth and dry in the sun or use seed dryer
Stage 6: Store the seeds To keep the quality and stay longer Keep in a cool, dry place
Table 1. Why use these steps Table 2. Local methods
Step 2
As a group, ask the participants to identify the reasons each of the seed saving stages
are important (table 1).
STAGE 1: Grow healthy plants
- Healthy soil, compost, and mulch are the best way to produce healthy plants.
- For more information, see the PC Book MOD 4 – Healthy Soil.
STAGE 2: Choose the best seeds
Collect seeds from the BEST plants. These plants will:
- Produce healthy and tasty fruit or leaves.
- Be disease free and naturally resistant to pests.
- Be able to withstand extreme conditions – For example the ability to cope with
very dry or very hot conditions, or still grow well in rocky soil. - Be slow to go to seed - For green leaf and other similar vegetables (lettuce,
cabbage, spinach, etc) collect seeds from the plants that are the LAST to
produce flowers and seeds, NOT the first because the ones that go to seed first
are weaker and produce less.
EXERCISE
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