I received this (edited) e-mail from a reader:
I’m looking for an opinion today. My husband and I are becoming really concerned about the state of the economy and, unfortunately, the general direction in which our country is headed economically, politically, etc. etc. We have been considering purchasing one of those survival seed banks. We have been thinking about this for quite some time. Recently we have been thinking that we should do this soon so as not to risk all of them being gone.
I am wondering about your opinion on these seed banks. As I understand it, these seeds are the type (forgive me for not knowing the correct terminology) which you can save seeds from and the type I bought at Home Depot to start my tomato plants from this spring will not produce tomatoes from which seed can be saved to grow again next year. Also, I am wondering how long can you keep non-modified seed before the seeds won’t sprout?
My response:
I’m not a big fan of the seed banks. Firstly, I think the companies selling these items are playing on fears that the media is expounding. Secondly, the banks are just way to generic to be of much value to most folks (in my opinion). For example seeds that grow in your area, might not do well in mine and vice versa. I notice that a lot of these seed banks sell lots of squash that usually require a minimum 100 day growing season – mine on average is 90 days and if I do get to 100 days usually the nights are too cool to make those plants thrive. I simply can’t grow those things here without a green house.
Seeds in general keep for a very, very long time. They’ve found seeds in the tombs of the pharaohs in Egypt that have sprouted. Imagine that, seeds kept in a tomb for thousands of years and then planted and producing edible produce! All seeds do, of course, lose vitality over time. Though in my experience, I’ve planted very old seed & at least some of it has sprouted. I don’t throw away seed but I don’t stress if the old stuff doesn’t produce either. Freezing seeds will help them stay vital for a longer period of time, though I’ve never done that.
In my opinion, it is better to buy seeds that you know you will use. There are lots and lots of great companies from which to buy seed. Talk to a local garden center and find out what they feel works best in your area (local not big box store). Buy seeds that way. Heirloom seeds allow you to save seed from year to year – hybrids do not. However, there is a lot to saving seed (which is another reason I don’t like those seed banks). Plants cross-breed. Bees are efficient cross pollinators and they don’t care if they cross-pollinate your cucumbers with your melons (EDITED: This isn’t true melons & cukes don’t cross-pollinate, see the comments for more info) or your hot peppers with your sweet peppers. Corn is a notorious cross-pollinator and to ensure that you don’t plant cross-pollinated seed that won’t produce anything you need to make sure no other corn is grown within a mile of your garden.
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If you haven’t seen the spoof by Stephen Colbert on survival seeds, please watch it – you will laugh. In the commercial he’s mocking, the survival seed bank supposedly has enough seeds for an entire “acre crisis garden.” If you’ve never planted a garden of any size, trust me an acre garden in your first attempt will completely overwhelm you. Our garden area is just shy of 6,000 square feet and I can’t imagine keeping up with something like an acre and still having a job. Granted the “crisis garden” concept is probably supposed to be for when the world collapses around us and there are no jobs, but I just don’t see that as a completely realistic scenario. Also, if you currently have a lawn and the soil hasn’t been fed or cared for – how exactly do you expect to grow food there?
One final thought, it comes as no surprise to me that a large number of these products are being advertised on cable news channels. Cable news channels, all of them in my opinion, are fear mongers with an agenda in mind. Their agendas are to make you believe their version of the truth and to buy products from their sponsors, period. While some of these survival seed bank companies may be well-intentioned, I have no doubt that many are simply trying to make a quick buck off of fear. There is no doubt a lot of scary stuff happening in the world, and I do believe everyone who can should keep a garden; however, I don’t think we should get too crazy or spend money needlessly. If you need or want to buy seeds, there are a multitude of companies who sell heirloom seeds who would love your business. Support your local growers and sellers whenever possible. Finally, if this is the year that you want to start a garden, great – start small and build on it each year so that you don’t get burnt and the entire thing gets run over by weeds and/or animals.
I welcome other thoughts on these products, whether or not you agree with me.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I whole heartedly agree and I would add that there are some perennials that you can add to your garden that will provide food over the long term. Plants such as jerusalem artichokes, berries, some greens such a french sorrel, herbs, fruit trees, asparagus. Local greenhouses will have varieties that will grow in your region.
These are uncertain times, no doubt, but it is never a bad thing to be more self sufficient.
Thank you for your thoughtful response to this reader’s question. Enjoy your blog immensely. Keep up the great work.
excellent topic. i didn’t realize that this marketing scheme existed. we don’t have cable. i say start small, start now and do it without petrol chemicals. five or six packets of organic seeds will keep you busy all summer and you will see what you are in for. plus there will be the added benefit of a bunch of relaxing time spent with your hands in the earth and not in front of the cable tv.
karl
i wonder how many people will be taken in by these things. my brother-in-law probably has one. he had a whole room full of survival items for Y2K. last year he started talking the whole seed shortage thing. had a huge garden that about killed my sister and as far as i know, never saved the first seed. people are crazy!
I have to laugh! So many of these stations play upon fear. Think people, use your common sense! However I love the idea of being self sufficient, and after many years of being without a garden, I’m finally getting back to planting one. There’s just something about getting your hands in the earth that’s renewing.
Thanks for the video link, I must have missed that episode (or maybe it just hasn’t aired here yet).
I recently planted some seeds that according to their pack were 10 years past their useby date & still got good germination. I’d even opened the packet years ago, so the seal had been broken. So I think you’re right, a good selection of local heirloom variety seeds stored away carefully would be a good idea for a lot less money.
I agree with all your statements, too. I have some seed packets that are several years old and I’m still getting good germination rates from them. Starting small, you can invest in local heirloom seeds that have proven their adaptability to your climate and soil and save a lot of $.
My father in law used to say (before the days of cable TV and internet) that newspapers existed to sell soap.
I couldn’t agree with you more! I’ve heard of those survival-seed-banks but never really find out what they are about until I saw your post. You are right, it totally preys on fear mongers. I like the idea of being self-sufficient. I keep a garden but not really to be self-sufficient but I know that if I ever need to be self-sufficient, I will be able to do it.
While I am largely in agreement with your response, no one should fear seed saving because their melons and cucumbers might cross with one another. I say this not just because seed saving is worthwhile (it is!) , but because melons and cucumbers can not and do not cross.
Around here sadly, no small garden center would know the first thing about food gardening. Luckily, we are local to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com) – they have a wealth of knowledge about what grows well here. And over time, we have learned the hard way as well.
I did a little research after reading your comment. Apparently, I’ve long bought into an old wives tale that melons & cukes cross. You are correct that’s not true, apparently its a huge misconception. Still, it proves my point there’s a lot to seed saving and it’s not as simple as these “survival bank” companies make it seem. I don’t think we should fear it – I save seed all the time and don’t worry about the outcome too much. However, I’m not relying on it solely for my food next year either. If something doesn’t work out, we’re likely survive it because we also have new seed as back-up.
In general, I think the best teacher is experience and you can only get that through trial and error. And trial and error usually involves learning the hard way.