Until recently, every gardener in the world saved their own seed. They saved the seed of the plants that did best for them, and which they liked most. Although simple, this was efficient. Each gardener was maintaining a slightly different strain of each vegetable. This created a huge living gene bank that was very resilient against disease or climate change. If things changed so that your cabbages didn’t do well, someone down the road probably had a slightly different variety that would cope. This worked very well for millennia, but in the past 40 years, almost all these adaptable local strains have been lost. We need to put that right
Seed Saving Through History
The practice of seed saving stretches back to the earliest days of agriculture. Ancient farmers selected seeds from their best crops, adapting plants to local conditions and creating diverse varieties that evolved with their environments. In medieval Europe, seeds were saved and shared within families, communities, and monasteries. By the 16th century, English growers began producing seeds commercially, with seeds from the Vale of Evesham becoming sought after across the country. By the 18th century, companies like Carters and Suttons emerged, publishing elaborate seed catalogues and expanding the reach of specific varieties.
As industrialization progressed, however, the practice of saving seeds began to decline. By the 20th century, large-scale farming and monocultures took precedence, and seed-saving became less common. The outbreak of World War II briefly revitalized seed-saving practices in Britain, as trade routes were disrupted, and people were encouraged to grow and save their own food under the “Dig for Victory” campaign. However, post-war industrial agriculture, the rise of supermarkets, and increased mechanization shifted the focus to standardized crops that could be grown, harvested, and sold on a mass scale. Supermarkets favoured varieties with long shelf life and uniform appearance over those with unique flavours or nutritional benefits. As a result, biodiversity suffered, and many local varieties disappeared.
The Shift to Commercial Seeds and Patented Varieties
Today, most of the seeds available for purchase are not the adaptable, locally tailored varieties of the past. Instead, they are commercial seeds, often F1 hybrids, bred to meet specific criteria such as uniformity, disease resistance, and high yield. F1 hybrids can be highly productive, but their seeds don’t breed true, so saving seeds from these plants won’t produce consistent results. Additionally, seed companies increasingly rely on patented and genetically modified seeds, which have legal restrictions that prevent farmers and gardeners from saving, sharing, or replanting them.
This shift has resulted in a concentration of power among a small number of corporations that control the global seed supply. The implications of this are far-reaching, as it leaves us dependent on these companies for our food and reduces our ability to respond to changing agricultural conditions. For example, seed diversity acts as a natural buffer against the effects of pests, diseases, and climate change, but the reliance on a limited number of standardized seed varieties makes our food system more vulnerable to these threats.
The Limitations of Seed Banks
There are global efforts to preserve seed diversity, most notably through seed banks. These facilities, like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, store seeds from thousands of plant varieties to ensure that they are not lost. However, seed banks are not a perfect solution. Seeds need to be regularly planted, harvested, and replanted to remain viable, as was tragically highlighted by the destruction of seed banks in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq. The looting of the seed bank in Abu Ghraib during the Iraq War underscores the vulnerability of these repositories. We cannot rely solely on seed banks to preserve our agricultural heritage—plants need to be grown, used, and enjoyed by people.
The Benefits of Seed Saving Today
Reviving the practice of seed saving is more important than ever.
- Biodiversity and Resilience
Seed saving contributes to genetic diversity, which is essential for food security. Local varieties often have unique characteristics that make them resilient to specific pests, diseases, and climate conditions. By saving seeds from plants that thrive in our local environments, we create crops that can better withstand the challenges of climate change. - Food Security and Sovereignty
Dependence on a few major corporations for seeds limits our control over our food supply. By saving seeds, farmers and gardeners can maintain autonomy over what they grow, reducing reliance on commercial seed suppliers. This is particularly critical in times of economic instability or conflict when imported seeds may become unavailable. - Cultural Heritage
Many traditional varieties reflect the agricultural knowledge and preferences of past generations. When we save seeds, we also preserve flavours, colours, and traits that connect us to our heritage. Heirloom seeds, for example, carry stories of the past and remind us of the culinary traditions that have shaped our cultures. - Environmental Sustainability
Large-scale agriculture often relies on chemical inputs and monocultures that degrade soil and harm ecosystems. In contrast, seed-saving practices encourage crop rotation, companion planting, and other sustainable farming techniques. Growing a variety of plants also supports biodiversity by providing habitats for pollinators and other beneficial organisms. - Community Resilience
Seed saving fosters a sense of community by encouraging people to share seeds, knowledge, and resources. In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or economic downturns, communities that save seeds are better equipped to produce their own food, reducing the risk of shortages and building stronger local networks.
The Future of Seed Saving
To rebuild our food system’s resilience, we must reconnect with the practice of seed saving. This means growing, sharing, and preserving seeds not only in dedicated seed banks but also in gardens, allotments, and farms around the world. The best way to preserve plants is for us all to grow them.
Embracing seed saving allows us to protect our food sovereignty, preserve our cultural heritage, and create a more resilient, ecologically balanced world. As we face the dual challenges of climate change and corporate consolidation of our food supply, seed saving is not merely a tradition; it is a powerful tool for change, helping us take back control of our food and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
You can get involved by joining the Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/bordersseedcollective
