Heirloom Seed Exchange Talk

[Lilyofthestars]

Hello Aavalonians (can I even say that?),

Well, this year is the year. My partner and I are making the big switch to off grid living. It's been in the planning for two years now and we're as close to ever to finally moving to our off grid abode full time, probably by this fall.

The main uses for our land I will be pouring all my soul and heart into will be forest gardening methods with a strong emphasis on symbiotic relationships and permaculture, beekeeping with holistic methods (have been researching this one for months now and feel prepared), water/aquatic gardening for a natural pre existing spring pool that's on the land (looking to add lotuses, water violet, water hyacinth, and other oxygenators), and even duck keeping. It turns out there are dozens of benefits to duck keeping over chicken keeping, with some species of ducks even being more prolific egg layers than chickens! So far, we have ten fruit trees already established. After these projects, and only after these projects are well into good progress, I'm considering a miniature yak or a few goats...

Luckily, the nearest neighbors all appear to be expert homesteaders and gardeners in their own right and we look forward to joining the community of sustainability and self-reliance.

Sadly, the term "self-reliance" has become a very dirty word to the powers that be. There's actually nothing selfish about it when you devote your life to the interconnectivness of all living natural systems within the earth and extend that into your community or neighbors. In fact, the entire world could be healed if all people were to be encouraged to grow gardens, begin composting, raising animals ethically/humanely, etc. This is not "Eco-terrorism" as the WEF would have you believe (Yes, that's a real headline).

This has been in "planning" mode for quite some time, one reason (of multiple) I've been absent from the forums for so long. It seems there is one answer to all the corruption and lies our world is drowning in - for humanity to get itself into a position to where people are learning how to work the land again and find sustainability within their own lives, instead of waiting for the government to force the great reset by 2030...

The last time I was off grid was in Colorado, some of the best memories of my life and where I gained much permaculture and alternative living skills. The heirloom vegetable garden I had back then was majestic, and the harvest was the purest most delicious nutrient dense food I had ever had in my life.

It's been a while since I had enough land to really grow anything sizable. I'm so excited I can hardly contain it!

Which leads me to the fun idea that I ought to come onto Avalon and check to see who else out there is doing the "off grid" life, and to see if anyone would be interested in exchanging heirloom seeds, roots, cuttings, etc. with me. I have a nice little heirloom seed bank but I'm always looking to expand on it with more rare heirlooms. I'm open to international seed exchanges despite regulations. It can be done with care.

Let's use this post for people to exchange seeds with one another. If you don't have any land for gardening, consider a porch garden with pots. Many vegetables can successfully be grown in pots!

Suggestion: Provide a list of some of the heirloom seeds, cuttings, or roots you might have available; then people can take the conversation to direct messaging so as to not flood the thread with too many messages.

Let the seed sharing commence (hopefully)

Cheers!

[wondering]

Lilyofthestars, I am far removed from the reality you speak of, but it is so exciting to hear you talk about it. Such dedication and knowledge, I am grateful to even read about it. blessings be.

[Harmony]

Wonderful to hear about your endeavour Lilyofthestars. I hope we will hear more of how you and your partner are progressing with your move to the forest and living along with everything around you. I live off grid too but still need supplies from other places and it certainly keeps one busy but also connected to all the energies and beings that we share space with. Sending blessings to you and your new home in the forest

[shaberon]

Posted by Lilyofthestars (here)
I'm considering a miniature yak or a few goats...

This may not be an issue if you have enough room to free range, but, if you get male goats, DO NOT give them commercial feed pellets. Death sentence. Guaranteed.

If you are going to garden, then, you will, of course, have to pen the goats. No supplements other than hay. You can give fruit or veggies maybe once or twice a week, but that's it. Don't give them human food they will gladly eat.

With that in mind, I *do* recommend them as pets, preferably if you raise them from kid. In that case, it is a "good friend", like a dog, but, mixed with a deer.

Maybe in a few years I can get back to a farm-like situation, but, I can't really use or trade anything right now. I love the subject and will say that is a very good way to go, as it always should have been.

[palehorse]

Lilyofthestars, that is very nice to complete the transition to an off grid location, congratulations for you and your partner.

I got plenty of seeds here, they are mostly hand picked from many different places including the wild.. let me know if you need something specific from the tropics (Koppen climate here: A[f/m/w]). What is your climate?

[Abondance]

I must say that this year in France is particularly hard for gardening. I've never seen so much rain for months and we had late frosts and hail that really impacted crops and fruit trees. Some producers in my region lost 90% of their vines this year. Many seedlings have not grown, and then I have to fight against armies of slugs That said, I do not give up and my electroculture devices still seem to help the survivors!
This year I am looking to develop tubers, oca type, tuberous nasturtium, Japanese crosnes, tuberous chervil and sechium. No seed production yet except for a few tomatoes and squash. I also made a small body of water for biodiversity. This fall, I will also test some mushroom cultures on wood trunk, it’s quite easy (in the USA you have the excellent Paul Stamets which can provide a lot of mycelium and mushroom remedies)... I hope to develop at least a relative food autonomy in fruits and vegetables in the near future. And the supply of drinking water is ensured by filtration or a source a few km in the forest, in case of supply problem.
It's a big work, but rewarding...

[Flagrant_Disregard]

Im interested in exchanging seeds!
Kind of a transitional period of life for now, not currently with most of my seeds but I always find more. Message directly for more info.