May it become your most abundant year and a greatest biodynamic growing season for you ever.
Weather
After a last attempt of snow on Friday 9th, this period over the next week starting Friday evening will bring much milder air from the Atlantic with a strong low pressure and wild winds over the weekend in the south.
Most likely central and northern parts with rain more likely across the south and west, before it either clears or dies out. It’s uncertain as to whether these milder conditions will reach the extreme north and east. Further into next week it’s likely to remain cold across the north and east, with colder condition possibly extending back into the rest of the country.
High time to order your seeds
Some of you might have ordered your seeds already. If not now is the time to make up your mind what vegetables, flowers and herbs you would like to grow together in the garden and consume this year.
To help you, I explain below what the difference is between the different types of seeds.
DIFFERENT SEED TYPES FOR DIFFERENT WAYS TO GROW
To match the farming and gardening world’s versatile ways of growing, the seed industry has developed many varieties of seed to match. These types range from all-natural, pure-bred pedigreed heirloom varieties to novel cross-breeds, hybrids and GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms).
OPEN POLLINATED: MEETING NEEDS OF LOCAL MARKETS AND OF BACKYARD GARDENERS
Some characteristics open pollinated seeds have as a trait, simply can’t be captured by hybrid crossings or GMO.
These are adaptability to different fertility and types of soils and manuring quantities, nutritional quality and extreme weather, insect and disease load and most of all a wide range of genetic material.When we are growing open pollinated seeds, they openly receive pollen from other compatible varieties nearby or can self-seed on their own accord if self-pollinating.
Here are some pros and cons of open pollinated varieties:
Pros:
- More natural method of seed breeding
- Maintains heirloom varieties that have significant cultural or other value
- More genetic diversity in each seed leads to spread out maturing times
- Seed from these varieties can be saved and replanted by growers, and can even lead to new desirable varieties
Cons:
- More diversity means less predictable seed—different sizes and maturity times (which is desirable for the small garden or local markets)
- Yields both strong and weak individuals from seed stock
- Process of coming up with specific strong or new varieties takes more time
- Controlling genetics when producing open pollinated seed is more challenging
F1 HYBRID SEEDS FOR LARGER OPERATIONS AND MECHANIZATION
F1 hybrids are more artificially-bred seed strains compared to open pollinated seeds.
“F1” describes the first generation of offspring and seed from two individuals of two very different plant varieties, or even plant species. In some cases, these might be two breeds of plants that wouldn’t have crossed otherwise.
F1 are very homogenous in their expression and respond to artificial fertilizer input; I find they need more manuring with compost, as they are used water soluble nutrients to yield well.
F1 plants produce seeds that in the next sowing split up into many varieties influenced by original crossbred varieties, therefore keeping seeds from F1 hybrids is not recommendable (F1 Hybrid seeds are distinct from GMO seed which have often inbred the killer gene, so we can’t re-sow the seeds)
From my research and comparing seeds of different origin I have come to the conclusion that for the purpose of growing in biodynamic, small -scale situations, the most varieties of seed which respond most favourably are bio-dynamic open pollinated seed and heirloom varieties.
Pros:
- More predictable seed due to genetic similarity from seed to seed
- Yields only strong individuals with desired traits due to similar seeds
- F1’s yield immediate improvements in their first generation
- Controlling F1’s genetics, in most cases, can be easier and less costly
Cons:
- Less natural method of seed breeding
- Seed breeds many don ’t have significant cultural value, aren’t heirlooms
- No genetic diversity in seed, all seeds mostly the same
- Saving seed from these types (especially self-pollinators) not strong or reliable
I will also mention a couple seed companies, which have heirloom varieties, which have a high polyphenol, vitamin and fibre content, besides the very appealing range of colours.
It might be of interest that we also eat with our eyes. The light information contained in the plants, which is released when we masticate the food in between our teeth goes straight to the brain and is sent through the connective tissue of our body to inform the cells of the environmental conditions, so we can adapt more easily to changing conditions we find around us.
Btw: Most commercial organically and biodynamically grown crops are grown with F1 hybrids which don’t give us above nutritional properties any more. More a reason to grow in your backyard with open pollinated seeds!
Where are the best places to obtain the seeds?
Sativa seeds Switzerland: Only organically certified seeds make it into our online shop. There you’ll find a variety of different seeds – from organic conservation, organic breeding and old varieties, to organically reproduced sorts. https://www.sativa.bio/en/
Bingenheimer Saatgut AG, trades exclusively in open pollinated varieties of organic seeds and plants.https://www.bingenheimersaatgut.de/
Esk Valley Open pollinated, organic and bio-dynamic seeds of vegetables, herbs, flowers and green manures. https://eskseeds.co.uk/
Vital Seeds Open pollinated organic seeds of vegetables, herbs, flowers and green manures. https://vitalseeds.co.uk/
Real Seeds is a one-stop-shop for allotment owners. www.realseeds.co.uk
The Organic Gardening Catalogue, a joint venture between Garden Organic (HDRA) ‘Europe’s leading organic gardening organisation’ and Chase Organics based in Horsham, Surrey, www.organiccatalog.com
Tamar Organics, a thriving delivery service providing seed to the UK and beyond. www.tamarorganics.co.uk
Seed Parade Has a wide range of organic vegetable and herb varieties
Garden Organic has a wide range of organic heritage and heirloomhttps://www.gardenorganic.org.uk
have a range of quality organic seeds available to plant vegetables and herbs
Seed to Plate offers a small range of organic seeds www.seedtoplate.co.uk
Secret Seeds, featuring bulk deals on wildflower and vegetable packs, their prices for organic seeds start at as little as £1. They also stock an ever evolving collection of rare and unusual plants with more than 1,350 different species. www.secretseeds.com
Jekka’s Herb Farm Dubbed the ‘Queen of Herbs’ by Jamie Oliver, Jakka McVicar runs the only organic nursery to win over 60 RHS gold medals, two consecutive Tudor Rose Awards from the Hampton Court Flower Show and a RHS Lawrence medal for their 2009 garden at the Chelsea Flower Showwww.jekkasherbfarm.com
Duchy Originals supplies organic seeds to the eco-conscious gardener. www.duchyoriginals.com
Seeds of Change stocks a wide range of organic seed selected with everyone from occasional gardeners to full timers in mind. www.seedsofchange.com
As you can see there are a great variety of seed companies.
My favourite companies with best quality seed are:
Esk Seeds, Sativa seeds Switzerland, Real and The Organic Gardening Catalogue
I wish you happy visioning of your garden and your life for the New Year and send you also wishes of prosperity, health and joy.
Hans-Günther
