Box for sprouting tests, selfwatering, Årslev model
Springs seed meeting started with a lecture in seed saving in private gardens, an introduction for beginners. The friday evening ended with a big seed exchange between participants. OK, not really exchange – more a seed handout for interested members, and there was a huge amount of seed. I couldn’t resist the temptations, and brought plenty of new seeds and cuttings back home. Talking about our seeds like that, I realise how differently we all grow our gardens. Some are very concerned about saving old varieties and their history of origin, one experiments with permaculture based on winter-harvestable vegetables, others grow medicinal herb, others specialise in a few crops, some grow a little of everything, one has been completely selfsupplying with vegetables, seeds (and meat) for twenty years. Together a richness of experience to share.
Saturday we spend a day learning at Research Centre Aarslev. First Gitte Kjeldsen Bjørn lectured on plant genetic resources and the maintanaince of the danish clone collections of hop, jerusalem artichoke, horseradish, rhubarb and shallot.
Gitte Kjeldsen Bjørn demonstrates the multiplying of the danish hop clones and lectures on their aromatic qualities and the research in beerbrewing with these clones.
Rhubarb clones needs space. At every stick are two copies of each clone.
Gitte Kjeldsen Bjørn served four selected clones of jerusalem artichoke raw. We judged the taste. One in particular was cause of discussion – It was judged either best or worst, no one in between.
Martin Jensen explained vigor and seed dormancy in a way, that both beginners and experienced listened carefully and brought home new knowledge. He taught us, that seeds dried at room temperature can be stored in the freezer, as long as there has been normal heating in the room. At 50-60% relative humidity in the air seed dries perfect in only three weeks. What a concrete and usefull knowledge.
Martin Jensen explains sprouting tests. By now he had been talking like a river for almost three hours, and we are still hungry for his knowledge.
Many trials in Aarslev are performed in greenhouses, where conditions can be controlled in details.
Sunday Flemming Pedersen (right) learned us how to make a willow tower. At left Brian Krause (Gourmethaven.dk) is working on his willow tower.
The beautiful willow knot Flemming introduced to us.
April 18, 2008 at 16:17
Hi Soren,
Today is my blog birthday … I invite you for cake (or a look at a cake)!
I’ve listed your blog as on of my favorites this year and I’m adding you to my new blog roll side bar.
Cheers!
April 18, 2008 at 21:28
Hi Meg,
thanks for inviting me – I’ll come over now 🙂
Søren.
April 20, 2008 at 07:56
This was really an excellent post. I am really jealous you have such interesting seed meetings where you are.
April 20, 2008 at 18:41
Hi Soren,
Your shredder is very economical. I agree about the other garden motorized “tools”, I like the scratch a rake makes compared to say those electric blowers for leaves.
April 20, 2008 at 22:01
Hi Patrick,
I’m sure you are able to arrange similar meetings in Nederland. We usually gather 20 to 25 persons at our all Denmark meetings. The proffesionals seems allways happy to share their knowledge. I think it also helps them gaining public support for their expenses. And seedsaving people are very nice people 🙂
Meg: The scratch of a rake is just one of those very nice sounds I enjoy in my garden. It’s distinct and still letting you hear what material you rake. For a toad like me it’s a musical instrument with rythm.
April 21, 2008 at 14:45
What a great post and meeting Søren. I’d love to go to something as focused and with such knowledgable people. In my location language is a problem as I don’t understand enough French yet for lectures.
April 23, 2008 at 12:10
Wow this would be fantastic. You are very lucky to have such a thing.Imagine what you could learn!
April 23, 2008 at 14:56
[…] Danes meet to save seeds. […]
April 23, 2008 at 21:57
Hi Laura and Kate.
I am lucky, and I hope you too can make your luck within a year or two.
I thought these meetings was taking place all over the world, and I hope they will in a few years. I’ve been told, that in Germany they are not able to fullfill the command for this kind of meetings.
I hope you feel inspired to make them happen in your area.