Seeds and Food for the Future

We all work very hard to keep our pantries stocked.  We all work hard to can and freeze what we can.
We all prepare supplies for the future and for the fact that those supplies may be hard to get some day.
We all prepare for something.
Do you have seeds for the future gardens and your future food?

This year people seemed to have a hard time finding garden seeds in some areas.  Many of the on-line ordering places ran out.  People suddenly got all interested in growing food - as stores were lacking for a moment.  I don't think this will last for the general public (I wish it would), but for those of us who work at being prepared for anything - this is something you should think about.

You can buy cheap seeds or expensive seeds.  Keep them in a cool and dry spot.  Seeds last for several years if kept cool and dry.

I have several containers with seeds - both store bought and 'harvested'.  We had several empty containers that contained wet wipes - and I utilized those to hold my packets.  Works great.

Many people vacuum seal and keep seeds in the freezer.  That works well.

Harvest seeds yourself - it is best to harvest seeds from old heirloom varieties.  You will always get the same product over and over with heirloom seeds.

Crossed or engineered seeds - you just never know what you may end up with.  Sure you will get a tomato or a pepper - but what type?  It is usually a surprise. 

Did you know there is a world seed bank?  The largest is located 430 deep down in a mountain just above the Arctic Circle.  It has about 930,000 varieties of food crop seeds!!!!  Heck there are about 200,000 varieties of rice.

This is often called the Doomsday Vault.  Most people think about doomsday as being the end of the earth as we know it - well doomsday can hit various regions of the world at any time, and has.

Think about catastrophic weather events that happen.  Floods, fire, disease or insect infestation, earthquake, tsunamis, just complete devastation.  Crops and seeds can be lost.  That is why we have such reserves.

They also keep old and wild varieties of seeds that are no longer in much use.  

There are about 1,700 seed vaults around the world.  The range in size - but the Doomsday Vault is by far the largest and most secure.
https://time.com/doomsday-vault/
Go to this site if you are interested in reading about the seed vault.  It is quite interesting.

picture of the entrance of the Doomsday Vault

If you harvest your own seeds - you need to clean (wash) them  - then lay them out to dry completely!!!  That is vital - they have to be thoroughly dry before storing or they will mold.  Package up in jars or packets.  Keep them cool and dry.  Make sure you mark each package with exactly what you have.
Buy seeds when you find them.  Put them back for future use.  I know seed packets have  a year on them - it usually says packaged for 2020 (or whatever date).  They will last much longer.  Now maybe not every seed will germinate 5 years from now - but some will.  I have seeds that my Dad harvested well over 38 years ago - and I have tested them at various times and they are still viable!!!!!!

Think about getting seeds for things you EAT - not necessarily what you GROW at present day.  You never know - someday you may have to grow things you don't grow today.  Seeds would also be a great barter tool!!!!

I don't know that I want to be around IF things ever get this bad - but if I am I sure want to be prepared or have supplies to help others.
Plan ahead my friends.  Sad to say - you can NEVER be to prepared.

Seeds are plants and food of the future.
FOOD IS LIFE