Book Review-
Seed Swap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds
by Josie Jeffrey
“Seed Swap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds” is a pretty little book feels good in your hands… I realize that is a strange thing to say about a book, but the truth is the layout, the illustrations and the feel of the paper made it really enjoyable to page through the book. But, people don’t usually buy a book for how it feels, they need to know if the information inside is worthwhile. Luckily, Josie Jeffrey has loaded the book with loads of important and accessible information about saving and swapping seeds.
When you preserve seeds from your garden, you not only save money, you save an heirloom variety that may have been lost to the homogenization and genetic manipulation of seeds that the large companies like Monsanto are trying to foist on us. Collecting and swapping seeds with like-minded people will insure that individuals and small farmers can continue to grow non-GMO fruits and vegetables for their table. But, how do you save seeds? How do you set up a seed swap?
This is where the book shines! The first part of the book details everything you ever wanted to know about seeds, including the various parts of the seeds, and what makes them grow. Josie Jeffrey then explains the best ways to harvest your seeds, and preserve them for the next season. It turns out that how and when to dry and store them is as important as growing the seeds in the first place. Her tips for setting up a seed swap are quite useful for gardeners, or anyone who wants to barter seeds. (You will even find a template for making your own seed packet).
The information about Seed Banks was enlightening. I was amazed to learn that there during WWII, men in the Soviet Union actually starved to death while guarding an important Seed Bank, rather than let the seeds fall into the wrong hands. There are seed banks that have been storing seeds for 100 years! Every few years they test the viability of the seeds they store, and the information they gather teaches the rest of us how to better save our heritage seeds.
The second half of the book details different types of plants, how to grow them, and how and when to harvest the seeds for maximum success. Each page focuses on one variety of vegetable, herb, and even flower. Even a beginning gardener should have no trouble collecting seeds for next year’s plantings.
If you are a Homesteader who wants to be self-sufficient, or a Prepper looking to augment your bartering stock, “Seed Swap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds” deserves space on your bookshelf.
Get your copy today – Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds
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