The CV Seed Bank needs your help.
These days more and more seed is sold only by large seed companies.
The seeds in those packets have most likely been produced in an area completely distinct from the Comox Valley. At one time, local farmers preserved their own seeds including those produced in their large family gardens. Science has proven those seeds were genetically healthier than similar seeds from modern varieties produced on fewer farms and under different climatic conditions. Genetic health means they are more likely to adapt to climate change and diverse gardening conditions.
The CV Seed Bank tries to imitate the way farmers used to preserve their seeds. The Seed Bank relies on its volunteer gardeners joining together to organically grow and select seed from the correct number of plants needed for genetic health and long-term preservation.
Unique to the Comox Valley is the way the Seed Bank identifies locally adapted vegetable varieties. Basically, it is a numbers game. Due to local climatic and geographic conditions, it takes at least five years of growing the same variety and then at least five volunteer growers successfully producing seed from that variety around the Valley. Vegetable varieties that meet these criteria are called, 鈥楢ll Comox Valley Winners.鈥�
The Seed Bank is constantly on the lookout for new candidate varieties.
It constantly needs new growers to test seeds, as the number of possible candidates is growing. To date, after six years in operation, 25 locally adapted varieties have been identified, and 1,000 seeds of each have been dried and frozen. These lettuce, tomato, squash, kale and bean varieties will be available to feed new generations of gardeners like Kaz, Kye and Donovan (pictured).
At Seedy Saturday on March 2 at the Florence Filberg Centre, visit the CV Seed Bank table located in the main conference hall. Seeds from All CV Winners and candidates will be sold (proceeds will be used to purchase seed cleaning equipment). Most importantly, sign up to help test and maintain our seed collections. Seeds or seedlings and instructions are provided free to all growers.
For more information, contact Vivien or Royann at cvseedbank@gmail.com.
