Hudson Valley Seed Library
I am a sucker for good package design in general. But when a cute package contains heirloom seeds, I cannot resist. These “art packs” are sold by the Hudson Valley Seed Library, a non-profit based in Accord, New York that offers (mostly) locally grown and regionally adapted seed varieties. Each seed packet in the series is designed by a New York-region artist to celebrate the beauty of heirloom seeds. The Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper packets are printed with vegetable based inks—and while they are recyclable, or even compostable, I think they belong in a picture frame more than the paper bin
The Hudson Valley Seed Library was started by Doug Muller and Ken Greene, two young farmers with a dream of creating an “accessible and affordable source of regionally-adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring gardeners.” They sell seeds grown on the seed library’s farm and by other local farmers and gardeners, but they also encourage people to save their own seed and share it. If you pay $20 to become a member of the seed library, you get discounts on seed packs and events and 10 packets of plainly packaged seed of your choice. Best of all, members who save seeds can return them to the seed library in exchange for a discount on the following season’s membership fee. If you’re a novice seed saver, no worries. The seed library offers classes, workshops, and information on seed saving.
This organization provides such an interesting and valuable model for encouraging seed saving among home gardeners and preserving seed diversity. Wouldn’t it be cool if this concept expanded into a system of seed libraries across the country, with each one growing and offering heirloom and open-pollinated seed suited to local climate conditions?
Even though I live in an opposite corner of the country from the Hudson Valley Seed Library, I’m definitely placing an order for Spotted Trout Lettuce (aka Forellenschluss). This German heirloom has outstanding flavor and is a mainstay in my garden because it handles heat, cold, and rain with aplomb. I could buy ‘Forellenschluss’ at my local nursery, but I want to spend a few of my dollars at this seed library in the hopes that it thrives and grows—maybe even into my own part of the world.
Such lovely packages! I’ll have to get some to frame and give the seeds to my sister who actually has a yard.
January 12th, 2010 at 8:23 amWhat a fantastic idea! I guess however these lovelies are not available to us north of the border, given rules about seed and plant exporting… fabulous all the same.
January 12th, 2010 at 5:51 pmThese are beautiful and two of my favorite things as well (design & gardening). Thanks for sharing!
January 12th, 2010 at 5:57 pm.-= Anne´s last blog ..2010 Calendar for Sale =-.
wow! these are incredible! i am going over to check them out right now. thanks for the discovery.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:57 amEmmaleigh–Good idea. The seeds come wrapped in a little glassine envelope, so that is totally doable!
Sar–Such a bummer about plants and the border. I once tried to bring back some plants from Vancouver, BC and the border agent confiscated them! Eek!
Anne–I love the new calender! Is October really Popcorn Popping Month?
Tigress–Aren’t you on the East Coast? I bet there will be some great varieties for you? Maybe even some ones that work well with canning!
January 13th, 2010 at 1:47 pmThese are lovely! Thank you for sharing them. I grew up in the Hudson Valley and am pleased to see that farming is having a bit of a resurgence in the area lately.
January 17th, 2010 at 9:31 am.-= Eve´s last blog ..Greening Your Kitchen: Switch to Glass Storage Containers =-.
Those a beautiful, and it has my favorite lettuce too. Troutback. Beautiful packaging. Wonderful seeds. Does it get any better? Oh, yes, it does, when you grow them and then harvest. Yum.~~Dee
January 17th, 2010 at 3:19 pm.-= Dee/reddirtramblings´s last blog ..Foliage Follow-Up for January 2010 =-.
Dee–Troutback is totally my favorite lettuce, too. It’s interesting that it grows so well for you in Oklahoma and for me in Seattle. I just think it has the best flavor and I love it as a baby green and as a head lettuce.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:11 pmEve–Luck you growing up in the Hudson Valley. It is so beautiful there! Apparently it is becoming quite the center of sustainable agriculture on the East Coast. If you ever are back there, be sure to check out Stone Barns–it’s on the old Rockefellar estate and is supposed to have a really amazing farm and restaurant.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:13 pmHi Willi,
January 19th, 2010 at 1:36 pmit is a special place for sure! I have heard that Stone Barns is wonderful (got a gift certificate for my in-laws last year and they had a wonderful time there). I’ve been thrilled to see that farming (of the organic, sustainable kind) appears to be on the rise there lately as it was definitely not something that was big when I was growing up there. I hope you don’t mind but your wonderful post spurred me to write one of my own (and I featured the art packs). I did provide a link back to your post as the source of my inspiration
Love your blog, by the way!
Thanks for your kind words and enthusiasm for our Seed Library! Enjoy your seeds and art.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:04 pm