Decoding the DNA of Heritage Apples

As an orchard intern, it was my responsibility to learn about the heritage apples grown here and research information about these historical varieties.

A pile of orange-pink sweet potatoes of various shapes

Growing Guides, How To’s, Learn

Growing Guide: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have significant cultural and culinary histories and uses across the globe. Growing sweet potatoes has very different requirements from growing potatoes.

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SSE’s ADAPT program seeks community scientists

Do you enjoy gardening? Do you like growing truly unique varieties? Do you love knowing that you are contributing to a good cause like increasing biodiversity? Do you want to try something new in 2024? If you answered “yes” to any (or all) of these questions, then Seed Savers Exchange has an exciting opportunity for you: the Community Science ADAPT program.

Many trees with no foliage and tree guards around their trunks, in an open space of grass and blue sky

How To’s, Learn

How to Prepare Fruit Trees for Winter

It’s essential to properly prepare fruit trees for winter. Tree guards are the best method to protect your trees.

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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.

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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.

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

Learn, Stewardship Stories

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.

Several glass jars with a variety of different seeds sit in a row on a glass shelf

How To’s, Learn

How to Store Seeds

Protect your rare or stock-up sale finds with these three proper storage tips that ensure your seeds are viable when the planting time is right. It doesn’t take much, especially if you are storing seeds for two years or less.

Red radishes growing in a mulched bed with leafy green tops

How To’s, Learn

Everything You Need to Know About Radishes

Radishes are wonderfully diverse with many different colors, shapes and sizes! Spring and summer varieties can be pink, red, white, golden, or purple. They can be shaped like bulbs, be more elongated like fingers, or even taper like carrots.

How To’s, Learn

How to plant tomato and pepper transplants

Two of the most popular crops to start indoors and transplant out are peppers and tomatoes. These tips will help ensure that you will have healthy, happy plants after you introduce them to the great outdoors.