Seeds

The Definitive Guide to Growing, History, and Lore

Much of life on earth begins and ends with seeds. From the practical concerns of seed savers and collectors to the ancient lore, history, and biology of seeds, this is a must read for anyone interested in preserving seed biodiversity. Detailed advice on buying, storing and germinating, sterilizing soil, indoor to outdoor transplanting — even building cold frames, is included. Blending science and hands-on experience, Seeds is fascinating, practical, and useful.

Media reviews of this book:

"An informative, easy to read, and entertaining book covering many topics relating to plant seeds."

—Lee Luckeydoo, Sida, Contributions to Botany, September 2005

"It is science made simple but not simplistic–detailed, delightful and never dull."

—Lili Singer, Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2005

"This great work takes you through the history, anatomy, growing methods, and just about everything else you need to know on seeds."

—Dale Langford, Rocky Mountain News, December 16, 2006

"Will interest anyone interested in the life of plants and the planet... Eminently readable... provides refreshing reading to a devoted gardener during the quiet winter months when there is little work to be done outdoors."

—Dorothea Bedigian, Plant Science Bulletin, Spring 2005

"I haven't tried Loewer's techniques, but they look well thought out and his directions are comprehensive."

—Caroline McCullagh, Let's Talk Plants, May 2005

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Customer reviews of this book:

"Very informative, excellent source book."

—Raymond G. from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, February 5, 2006

"This is the best book on seeds ever! Very nice!"

—Walter R. from Boise, Idaho, May 20, 2005

An excerpt from this book:

Majella Larochelle, a gentlemen of my acquaintance, has long been a seed collector. Everywhere he goes, the seeds are not far behind. A few years back, he gave me some paper packets containing seeds of a honeysuckle species (Loniceria ledebourii) from California, originally collected in England. One day in the greenhouse, working in haste as usual, I moved the packet and didn't notice that it accidentally fell behind a pile of catalogs on the work table. The catalogs and the seed packet sat there for two years. In that time the heat and light of the summer sun bleached the catalog colors from bright reds and yellows and greens to acid purples and off-blues, shriveling the paper in the process ...

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