The Millennium Seed Bank

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 prohect 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. You can make a donation online, through JustGiving.

Or you can 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.

I’ve already said this on the podcast, but if you’re in the UK and you would like some of my spare achocha seeds then send me an email with your address and I will post some out to you. If you’re not in the UK and you would really like some of my achocha seeds then send me an email and we’ll discuss it.

Posted 4 October 2008, 13:45.   Posted in .

1 Comments for The Millennium Seed Bank

  1. I can see the point of seed banks but I also sympathize with the zoo aspect of them. I guess they are an important safety net though I am big into ‘living seed banks’. Sigh. Why did it come to this?

    Ottawa Gardener · Oct 6, 08:00 PM

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