Nana’s Pasta Sauce

Submitted by Nikki Riccelli-Tygard, inspired by her parents, Nicholas Domenico “Nick” Riccelli, Theresa Grace Ausilio Riccelli, and her “Nana” Rachel Scarcello Ausilio, stewards of the ‘Ausilio Thin Skin Italian’ heirloom pepper. “I fondly remember my adorable Nana spending time with my father, Nick, in the kitchen,” says Nikki.

A colorful map of the United States depicting the plant hardiness zones. Text at the top reads

Learn

USDA Releases New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Thanks to a new map released by the USDA in mid-November—the first update to the map since 2012—many gardeners will be planting some flowers, fruits, and vegetables for the very first time this spring.

An aerial view of a backyard on a street corner, with garden beds, umbrellas, sheds, and a pond next to a house

Lifestyle

How SSE Helped Create a Large Family Garden

Bob and Shannon Gassman turned to Seed Savers Exchange for help with starting a large family garden. Over the next decade, Bob and Shannon transformed their small city property into a biodiverse paradise.

A large pile of dark, rich compost, with more large piles covered in straw in the background.

Learn

Composting at Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange uses compost to improve soil health, along with other methods such as rotating crops and planting cover crops.

A variety of colorful vegetables on a teal blue table.

Giving

Smart Giving Guide

Your generosity drives our mission. With every gift, you’re supporting the preservation and stewardship of rare, open-pollinated garden varieties. Join our community of innovative givers today and make an enduring impact. With Smart Giving, your generosity reaches further. Begin (or continue) your giving journey with us today.

three white squash with long goosenecks and one halved white squash on a straw surface

Recipes

White Pumpkin Pie

Lovers of unique heirloom pumpkins can thank the late Wayne Fortna of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the delicious, productive, and truly beautiful ‘Fortna White’ pumpkin. Seed Savers Exchange is thrilled to introduce the ‘Fortna White’ as a featured From the Collection variety in 2024.

Several white cows graze a large open field next to a small red building

Learn

Meet the Ancient White Park Cattle of Heritage Farm

Wait a second, you thought Seed Savers Exchange only stewarded seeds? Think again! Heritage Farm is home to two herds of Ancient White Park cattle, cared for by Seed Savers Exchange. These heritage cows are part of an ongoing conservation effort and an important part of Seed Savers Exchange’s mission.

Recipes

Recipe: Three Sisters Corn Soup

“This soup is a great vegan/vegetarian option that takes advantage of all the nutritional benefits of eating corn, beans, and squash together with other nutritious vegetables,” says Rebecca Webster. Rebecca is enrolled citizen of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin. She serves as assistant professor at the University of Minnesota–Duluth’s American Indian Studies Department, and is a current SSE board member.

About Us

SSE launches website redesign

The new Seed Savers Exchange website highlights the impressive impact of nearly 50 years of participatory preservation efforts, and offers a closer look at current programming. SSE aims to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in gardening and seed saving and facilitate their ability to grow healthy, heirloom food.

How Tos

How to build a deer fence with fishing line

Anyone who has an orchard or garden knows how frustrating it is to work day in and day out only to find deer have eaten your lettuce, trampled your tomatoes, pulled up turnips and carrots, ripped the leaves off your young apple trees, or eaten the fruits off the trees.

Articles