Fall Greetings and Seed Updates

Hi Folks,

We’ve been getting a few inquiries about when our seed catalogue will be updated, so I imagine that more people are wondering too. Well, the website is up to date! Other than a few stragglers finishing their germination tests, we are mostly updated— with a dozen new varieties added this year, and over 100 vegetable and flowers in total! That may not seem like too much compared to the “big seed guys”, but take note that all of this seed is produced on Gabriola Island, is locally adapted, and supports our local economy in a small way.

Enough small farmers = big changes

So what are germination tests anyway? Just like school, all of our seeds have to “make the grade”, which in this case means to meet or exceed Canada Number One germination standards. We do this by literally sprouting a bunch of seeds of each variety on germination paper, or in some cases by actually planting them in trays. This determines the vigour of the seed, and this is mostly what we have been focused on these last weeks on the farm.

We have made some major changes at the farm this year; chiefly, we have transitioned to seed growing exclusively. Every other year has been a struggle to juggle our seed growing operation with growing vegetables for the local Farmer’s Market. And inevitably, I drop some balls. Sometimes I would raid the peas or the beans that are growing for seed if I need extra for the market, or I would miscalculate and not grow enough of, say, tomatoes for seed and hoard them, shorting the market. We don’t have enough land or labour to effectively do both operations. We also have to make sure our animals have enough grazing land, and that there is space for our “family garden”.

The long and short of it is that we have tons of seed available this year! Yes, we will still run out of some varieties, like Fortex Bean , or Cascadia Pea, or Ardwyna Tomato. I never grow enough of these and several other varieties, and I am always asked, “Why not?”. As I mentioned, there is a tradeoff with space and what I can grow. I could grow literally tons of peas, and nothing else, but I would hate my job. I grow a huge diversity of crops every year, because it is fun and interesting, but also because the farm is more resilient to weather and pest problems. If I lose my pea seed crop to an infestation of pea weevils (which happens) it only affects a small part of my income. Also, some crops (like Fortex and Ardwyna) produce very few seeds per plant compared to other varieties, but they are so good I grow them anyways and hope that people start to save them on their own. So if you want a variety that has sold out in the past, don’t linger too long. I have lots, but not endless amounts of seeds.

A full wheelbarrow load of overripe, ugly cucumbers way too far gone eat, but perfect for a seed crop.

If you are already gearing up for the gift giving season, we (unashamedly, of course!) recommend giving the gift of seeds. We have a gift card that is quick, safe, and easy to use. Just click on the link and you will be guided through the process. If you are not sure what kind of seeds to give, check out our Seed Collections page. We have a variety of collections to suit almost any gardener, and they are on sale, for all of December. You will receive 10-20% off of each seed collection, depending on the package.

Finally, we are keeping our packages at the same price as last year—$4.50— even though inflation is making everything much more expensive. This is what we can do to help you, our gardener and farmer friends, to grow as much as you can. Growing food is one really great way to beat inflation. Grow your own. We know that you can’t grow all of your food, but if you make a goal of growing, say, one full meal a week for the entire summer, that adds up to real money. If that is easy for you, make it one full day’s worth of meals a week. Start small and do what is realistic for you and you will succeed!

Best wishes from our farm to you and yours this holiday season.

Some

Some seed crops in full flower in one of our gardens this summer.