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Seed Saving Class-Saturday February 15, 2025
Basic Class – 9:30am – 11:15 am $10
Advanced Class – 11:30am – 12:45 pm $10
Yakima Area Arboretum
1401 Arboretum Drive
Yakima, WA
Join us and learn the techniques needed to collect seeds from your own gardens! Additionally you will learn about seed storage to increase their viability for a longer time.
Participants who complete these classes are granted membership to the Master Gardener Seed Library, filled with flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables that flourish in the Yakima County climates. Many are Heirloom varieties with their enhanced flavor and other desirable characteristics. The Yakima Master Gardener’s Seed Library has hundred’s of varieties available to it’s members. When you borrow seeds, you can replenish the library from your abundance at the end of the next season, thus contributing to the success of the Master Gardener Seed Library for future gardeners.
FAQ
Q. Why should we save seeds?
A. By joining with other seed savers we:
- improve health and nutrition;
- adapt varieties to our unique climate and soils;
- grow varieties with the flavor and qualities of our choosing (rather than those of large commercial growers);
- increase plant diversity throughout our community.
Q. How can I learn how to save seeds?
A. Learning to save seed is a process and our free seed saving classes may help! Our classes are offered each February in Yakima.
Q. Who can use the Yakima Master Gardener Seed Library?
A. The Heirloom Seed Lending Library is available to those who have attended our Seed Saving Classes.
Q. How does the Seed Library Work?
A. Seed Library Members may check out seeds for their household and then after harvest submit fresh seeds back to the seed library. To maintain a wide variety of seeds, quantities are limited. To keep our seeds “pure” those species that do cross-pollinate the limit is one packet. If cross-pollination is not an issue, quantities are limited to 5 seeds packets from any species.
Making a Difference
Growing, Learning, Teaching
Last year, our 120 trained Master Gardeners volunteered nearly 13,000 hours answering gardening questions in our plant answer clinics, teaching classes in our demonstration gardens, through our Speakers Bureau, Writers’ Guild, and Youth program, and growing produce for local Food Banks. Through our Heirloom Garden, we maintain our Seed Library, providing free seed, education, and preservation of endangered plant species that thrive in our local climate.
Join Us / Help Us
Want to make an Impact in Yakima County? Learn more about Becoming a Master Gardener.
Activities
Plant Sale
Plan to join us on the first weekend in May, 2025. More on our Plant Sale page.
Sign up for our email list for updates.
Activities at our Affiliate Partners
Look here for information.