Propagation

Annual market surveys and research help determine what to grow. Seed orders are adjusted and crop planning is done.

 

Seed Saving Process

 

•  Label best plants (some in dedicated seed production
  beds, the rest in intensive beds)
•  Collected once ready

Stored to dry

•  Processed (dry, releasing, sieving,
  winnowing, drying) and for fruit (removing, washing, drying)
• Freezing for a week

Storage seed bank

• Some surplus seed goes to the Golden Bay Seed Bank

A Seed Savers Forum held at the Gardens in June 2000 initiated the development of Seed Savers Aotearoa (a national seed savers network) to help connect home garden seed savers, small seed exchanges and small seed companies in New Zealand (website:www.seedsavers.org.nz). The aims of the seed Exchange are to regularly grow food plants and save their seeds for exchange, to share knowledge of seed saving, and to encourage the sharing of seeds. The Gardens acts as the base for the Seed Exchange, where seed is saved, processed and stored in the Seed Bank on an annual basis. It also facilitates an annually updated seed list of available seeds for exchanging amongst members.
 

If not enough seed is available for future production only organic untreated seed is purchased, almost all being non hybrid varieties.

Seed Raising Mix

Compost Vermicast Wainui Sand Seagrass Fishmeal

Once the seedlings have sprouted in the propagation shed they are then moved into the hot house and then onto nursery benches outside to harden off before planting out or going for sale.

 

        
Hothouse and Solar shower.                                  Inside hothouse.            
     
Salad lettuces in hothouse.                                 Seedlings in hothouse.
     
Seedlings harden off outside.                        Seedlings for sale and garden.