Where life begins

Producing seeds is an essential process for agriculture. When we keep the seeds of what we grow, we are continuing the work of successive generations, and we become the guardians of this natural treasure.

The process of obtaining seeds is a slow and meticulous one. It starts with the selecting of mature plants, followed by the extraction and cleaning of seeds by hand, a process which can be wet or dry.

Wet cleaning is for plants whose seeds are contained in a pulp: tomatoes or cucumbers. You can wash them directly or ferment the pulp for a few days.

Dry cleaning is for seeds which mature in a pod: leeks, legumes. It consists in breaking open the pod to separate the seeds.

Once dry, they are kept in jars, envelopes or paper bags with their corresponding labels stating species, variety, date and place of collection.

What are the advantages of having a seed bank in our allotment? Preserving local varieties like the delicious Navalcarnero tomato. Developing plants which, over the years, adapt to our growing conditions and become more resistant. Conserving and sowing our seeds makes us a part of the cycles of nature.

Each seed we share represents a step towards sustainability and respect for the environment. Following the whole process —obtaining seeds, sowing, birth of the plant, harvesting— is a eulogy to slowness in this age of madcap…

You could say we watch the lettuces grow.