Why Every Gardener Should Order Seeds in January: The Case for Diversity and Preserving Heirlooms

 

Embracing the Early Bird Approach

January might seem like an unlikely time for garden planning, but for avid gardeners, it's the golden month for seed ordering. This might raise eyebrows among the uninitiated, but there's a wealth of reasons why this frosty month is ideal for such an important task.

 Beat the Rush for the Best Selection

Firstly, ordering seeds in January ensures you get the best selection. Popular varieties sell out quickly, and by shopping early, you have access to a broader range of options. This is crucial, especially for those looking for specific, rare, endangered, or heirloom varieties. Many people are starting to garden and this is showing as many seed companies sell out of popular varieties.

 Time for Proper Planning

Gardening is an art that requires planning. By ordering seeds in January, you have ample time to strategize your garden layout, considering factors like sunlight, companion planting, and crop rotation. It is a time to plan what seeds you will save and what isolation distances they need.

 Seed Germination and Stratification Needs

Some seeds, particularly perennials, require a cold stratification period to germinate effectively. Ordering early allows you to give these seeds the cold treatment they need, ensuring a robust start to your garden. Don't forget about starting your onions and leeks in January!

The Importance of Seed Diversity and Preservation

Gardening isn't just about growing plants; it's about preserving biodiversity. This is where organizations like The Seeds of Diversity and Seed Savers Exchange come into play. They focus on saving and sharing heirloom seeds, which are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity in our food crops. In over 120 years, we have lost 93% of our plant biodiversity, sadly, extinction is forever. 

Seed Savers Exchange: A Gardener's Ally

Both exchanges are non-profit organizations dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. By preserving these seeds, they maintain a living history of garden diversity, protecting plant varieties that are rare, endangered or have been passed down through generations.

Why Heirloom Seeds Matter

Heirloom seeds are more than just plants; they are stories and history encapsulated in tiny, potent packages. These seeds are often unique to specific regions and climates, adapted over generations to thrive in particular conditions. They offer flavors, colors, and textures that you won't find in commercial seed varieties.

The Plight of Rare and Endangered Seeds

Many rare heirloom varieties are at risk of disappearing forever. Industrial agriculture favors a narrow selection of crops, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. Older seed savers are unable to continue the work in the garden and varieties are lost when they are not passed on. By choosing to plant heirloom and rare seeds, gardeners play a crucial role in preserving these unique varieties.

How Ordering Early Helps

Ordering seeds in January, especially from organizations like The Seeds of Diversity, supports the preservation efforts for these rare and endangered seeds. It's not just about getting a head start on your garden; it's about participating in a larger movement to protect our agricultural heritage.

As gardeners, we're not just growing plants; we're stewards of the earth's biodiversity. By ordering seeds in January, hopefully, heirloom and rare varieties, we contribute to a greener, more diverse world. So, let's embrace the chill of January to prepare for a lush, diverse garden that tells a story as old as time itself.