I figured since I plan to start landracing, I ought to have a Seed Saving/Landracing Diary! I've been thinking about landracing, at least in part, since before I knew there was a word for it. I'd been a big fan of Heirloom
gardening for a while, until I realized the problems associated with it, & started thinking about how to solve those problems. I don't hate it now, but it's fair to say that I have some issues with it. I'm proud to make the switch to
Landrace gardening.
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So down to brass tacks (what does that even mean?). This year I'm starting the early stages of a Peas/Beans
landrace. I planted I think 5 different varieties ( can't recall which ones just this moment but I'll give it a look when I can.
I'm also saving seed this year from Stinging
Nettles (Urtica dioica) & Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius). Both are perennials growing wild in my area & likely have been for many many many years, which means they are extremely well-adapted to my area. This will give a good base for future breeding efforts.
Additionally, I saved seed from True & False
Dandelions. Both are edible & have their uses, but I didn't keep them separate. At the time I was unskilled at differentiating True & False Dandelions. It'll be interesting to see what grows from them, as Dandelions have an interesting reproduction system that results in a wild abundance of subspecies.
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I'm not sure beyond this yet what else I'll be saving seed from, except maybe seeds from fruit I eat; I'm always saving those. Time will tell.
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