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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDo I need an emergency seed vault?
I just saw an ad for an emergency seed vault on here. Is there something I should know about?
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)renie408
(9,854 posts)sendero
(28,552 posts).... I'd say probably not.
My own personal experience with long term seed storage is not good. The percentage of seeds that germinate drops quickly each year stored.
If you are concerned about having some seeds to plant a garden, I would suggest that you buy some every year and keep one year's worth in reserve.
renie408
(9,854 posts)Every year I have good intentions about having a garden, get excited and buy up a bunch of seeds.
We planted ONE year about four years ago. Gardening is a lot more time intensive than I had imagined.
sendero
(28,552 posts)... eat all that lovely produce it's worth it
If you are not familiar with "square foot gardening" I would heartily recommend that method as one that, over the long term, reduces the labor required and produces great results.
renie408
(9,854 posts)Maybe this year I will try again with one bed and a smaller variety of plants. We put in four raised beds and worked like dogs that spring. Then by mid summer I was so sick of it, I just let everything go. It might be easier if we didn't already have physical, time consuming jobs already.
sendero
(28,552 posts).... we got a bit burned out (well me especially, the wife pretty much hung in there) late in the season. It is a lot of work, no doubt about it.
But it is a good skill to have. We've done it a couple of years and I tell my wife that in 3 more years we will know what we are doing
I'm particularly interested in using drip irrigation. I'd like to have it on a timer so that every thing gets watered somewhat automagically. I'd like to run the timer/pump from a small solar panel.
Maybe in a couple of years
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)MichaelSoE
(1,576 posts)One would need to start the routine now. Plant the seeds. Can, dry or freeze the results. Be sure to save enough seeds for the next year.
Let's suppose something happened that stopped the delivery of food. Stores would run out in a matter of days if not hours. You spend the next week, maybe two, eating what you had bought/stored.
Well. now you break out the emergency seed vault. It might be the middle of winter. or not. Still it is going to take at least a couple of months to get any return on investment.
One would be better off learning to fish, hunt and gather before relying on a seed vault.
peacebird
(14,195 posts)the harvest. We also save seeds. We are now expanding into fall crops and winter greens in cold frames.
And we have guns and ammo for hunting if needed. Plus a small flock of a dozen hens and one not-very-studly rooster for eggs and bug patrol.
I think that starting a garden to learn what it takes, and saving seeds is a really good first step. And right now is a fantastic time to buy seeds at your local stores, as they are half priced and will still be perfectly fine for next season!
Edit for typos
Historic NY
(37,453 posts)Agony
(2,605 posts)here is a chart and guidelines for storage in ordinary "seed vaults" i.e. jars but I keep my seeds in a box on a cool dark shelf and have planted 10 year old seed that grew just fine but with lower germination rate... plant it thicker... no fear!
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-316/426-316.html
go garden!
Cheers
Agony