Seed Terms and Seed Saving Resources

1. Seed Terms and Seed Saving Resources
Prepared by Terry Allan, Seeds of Change
Definitions Related to Seed:
O
pen Pollinated – non-hybrid. Offspring are similar to the parents.
Heirloom – A non-hybrid variety that has been maintained over the years by seed savers outside of the commercial seed trade. Usually implies varieties that have been around for a long time.
Hybrid – The offspring of a cross between genetically different parent varieties (usually of the same species).
T
ransgenic – (GMOs - Genetically Modified Organisms) genetic material is transferred mechanically rather than through mating. Genetic material may come from within the same species, but can (and most often does) come from any other organism, including man made genes.
O
rganic – Seed produced under certified organic conditions (GMOs not allowed)
Untreated – Seed with no pesticide coating.
T
reated – Seed with intentionally applied pesticide/fungicide coating.
S
eed Saving Basics:
N
atural Inbreeders – Easier to save seeds
Not commonly hybridized, showing little inbreeding depression:
Peas, Beans, Lettuce, Tomatillos
Commonly hybridized, showing little inbreeding depression and some hybrid vigor:
T
omatoes, Eggplants, Peppers (will cross, need isolation)
N
atural Outbreeders – Harder to save seeds
Common as hybrids or O.P.’s, showing little inbreeding depression and some hybrid vigor:
Cucumber
, Squash, Pumpkin, Gourds, Melons, Carrots, Spinach, Radish, Onions
Mostly hybrids, showing strong hybrid vigor and strong inbreeding depression:
Cor
n, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Other brassicas
S
eed Saving Resources:
S
eeds of Change, PO Box 15700, Santa Fe, NM 87592. 888-762-7333 www.seedsofchange.com
S
eed Savers Exchange, 3076 North Winn Rd, Decorah, Iowa, 52101 www.seedsavers.org
O
rganic Seed Alliance, PO Box 772, Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.seedalliance.org
Seed to Seed, by Suzanne Ashworth. Seed Savers Exchange, IA. 2002.
B
reed Your Own Vegetable Varieties, by Carol Deppe. Chelsea Green Publishing, VT. 2000.
Backyard Edible Gardening Workshop
April 25, 2009
UC Davis Good Life Garden
Davis, CA

2. goodlifegarden.ucdavis.edu
to purchase tickets visit our website:
Thank you to the UC Master Gardener Program for co-sponsoring
the Backyard Edible Gardening Seminar Series.
Backyard Edible Gardening:
All About Fruits, Nuts & Berries
When:
Where:
Time:
Cost:
Saturday, May 23, 2009
UC Davis Robert Mondavi Institute Sensory Theater
9 AM - 2 PM
$35 w/ box lunch
$25 w/o box lunch