When preparing a home garden the excitement about the soon productive harvest leads numerous gardeners to prepare their soil with love, take their precious time in figuring out what type of growing methods to use, and then almost mindfully run to their local hardware store and purchase whatever seeds that may be available. However, one of the most critical aspects of a successful garden is a healthy and locally adapted seed. The issue with large scale hardware stores is that they sale the same products for a store in Texas, as they do in Maine, Tennessee, and Idaho. You may find yourself asking, “What’s wrong with that?” Not all regions of the United States can grow identical varieties of plants with the identical amount success of productivity. What grows prominently in Maine may not work as well as in Tennessee, Texas, or Idaho.
Plants are just like people. When a parent raises a child in Texas, then moves to Maine when the child is 16, it is likely that the child will encounter problems transitioning to the environment in that area. The same happens with plants and seeds. If a tomato plant grows wonderfully in Michigan, the seeds are harvested and then distributed here in Texas. There is no guarantee that the tomato seeds planted here will have the same success. However, if I harvest tomatoes seeds from The Marcus Garvey Liberation Garden or Alabama Gardens here in Houston, TX; the likelihood of them thriving at your home in the greater Houston area is much more probable. While growing in a particular area, plants give their seeds the tools to thrive in that same general area at an even greater rate. Just like our parents did for us!
So now, I hope you’re excited about local seeds, and your next question is, “Where can I get these locally adapted seeds?” There is a select group of gardeners, farmers, and seed savers that gather and host ‘Seed Swaps’. The wonderful thing about the Seed Swap is that not only is it locally adapted to our climate, but the seeds are likely to be grown using organic techniques and principles. An added benefit is that you will have the opportunity to converse with the individual who grew and harvested the seed that you will inherit. This can be a very empowering experience. We can harvest and prepare a meal for you to eat once, but when we give you seeds to plant, and teach you how to nurture them, why should you ever go hungry again?
RSVP Here ---> https://www.facebook.com/events/144913905678075/
The 2013 Spring Seed Swap will take place at Agape Community Garden, 6401 Calhoun Blvd., Houston, TX 77021 from Noon unitl 3PM. If you need more information please contact divineleadersinc@gmail.com or 713-396-0001.
