Achocha seeds
Home-saved achocha seeds

I’ve always been a big fan of the Millennium Seed Bank. When the idea was first proposed, I made a donation. I received a certificate, which I almost certainly still have although I can’t currently find it.

And so I’m very disappointed that the project is currently struggling for funds. Whilst I agree with Ben from Real Seeds (and Patrick, and everyone else involved in seed saving) that seed banks aren’t the complete answer, I think they’re a useful safety net.

There are several ways to support the Millennium Seed Bank. You can visit, and see the work they’re doing. They’re at Kew’s second garden – Wakehurst Place in Sussex. The Alternative Kitchen Garden Seed Appeal is raising money to save an entire wild plant species in the Millennium Seed Bank. Click through to find out more, or donate directly via JustGiving.

Or buy one of their mini seed banks and get involved at seed saving at home. There’s even a schools version that comes with examples of seeds and projects for the children to try. I’ve been saving seeds quite happily without one for a few years now, but I still think they look really useful.

This is the time to be getting involved with seed saving. Step out into the garden and see if there are any ripe seeds you could collect, before winter finally arrives or they all fall to the ground. Dry them out, label them and keep them to sow next year. Find some like-minded friends and organize a seed swap and you’ll save a fortune on your seed budget and get to try new things.