Hope and Practice: Robert Lobitz

Robert Lobitz—one of the most active members of Seed Savers Exchange—had many listings in the Yearbook from 1984 up to 2006, when he passed away.

A tray of 3-inch pots, each with a hole and a small tomato plant in the center.

How Tos

A Beginner’s Guide to Potting Up Seedlings

There’s something deeply rewarding about nurturing a tiny seed into a thriving plant. But when a plant outgrows its container, potting up can seem daunting. Fortunately, with care and a couple of considerations, potting up is easy and will help to keep your plants happy!

A collage of various images of heirloom plants, including 'Moon & Stars' watermelon, 'German Pink' tomato, 'Three Pound Coffee Can' asparagus, 'Grandpa Ott's' morning glory, dill, and 'Good Mother Stallard' bean

Varieties

50th Anniversary Heirloom Seed Collection

Great seeds, great seed stories. Seed Savers Exchange has stewarded both since its founding in 1975. To mark our 50th year, we’ve released a limited-edition heirloom seed collection featuring six of our most-cherished varieties.

Stewardship Stories

Hope and Practice: Christina Wenger

In the first third of the 20th century, the agricultural valleys of California were full of sweet peas grown for seed.

Two large jars filled with pickled watermelon rinds along with spices and chopped garlic sit outdoors on a picnic table

Recipes

Recipe: Pickled Watermelon Rind

In the heat of the summer, few things are as refreshing as fresh watermelon! However, while the flesh of the watermelon is enjoyed, the rinds are usually discarded. Next time you eat a watermelon, don’t throw out the rinds! You can actually soften and pickle watermelon rinds for a sweet and sour treat.

A pile of tiny yellow cherry tomatoes in a metal strainer

Learn

What Are Heirloom Seeds?

The term “heirloom seeds” has increased in popularity in recent years, but what exactly does it mean? “Heirloom” describes a seed’s heritage, specifically a documented heritage being passed down from generation to generation within a family or community.

two little girls in bib overalls holding tomatoes

Stewardship Stories

Hope and Practice: Niki Stevens

My path to seed saving started around the age of four. I knew that those red things (tomatoes) my mom had picked were bad news.

sitting man in a red, collared shirt, holding and surrounded by cucumbers

Stewardship Stories

Hope and Practice: Jay Tracy

While gardening in Arizona, I discovered the snake melon and carosello cucumbers as well as many other muskmelons that, for millennia, have been cultivated as delicious cucumbers.

man in plaid shirt and woman in purple sweater stand in front of green garden

Stewardship Stories

Hope and Practice: Kris Fox

My fascination with seed diversity started when I saw a colorful display of dry beans in one of the seed catalogs I had requested.

A small plant with four starter leaves in a plastic cell with soil.

How Tos

Thinning Seedlings

What?! I have to toss some of these perfectly healthy seedlings I worked so hard to start? Which do I save and which do I not? That is the reaction of many a new gardener upon first learning that thinning seedlings is a necessary step to ensure healthy growth of plant starts. The reality is that, if left in crowded environs, your seedlings will eventually suffer.

Articles