An introduction to the politics and practicalities of seed saving

Learn to save seed from the crops you grow. This one-day workshop gives an introduction to why we should all be saving seed, and the basics of how to go about it, with opportunities for hands-on experience and a chance to see the farm’s various seed-saving projects.

The day will include tours of the seed saving in both the Community Garden and the Market Garden, practical activities, fresh soup and bread for lunch, and plenty of time for questions and chat. 

At Lauriston Farm, we save seed for growing on our farm year on year and we know how our crops improve from this practice as the seeds adapt to the particularities of our land. We also grow seed crops for sale and as well as an abundance of seed for exchanging and sharing with our wider community.

This is one of our favourite subjects and we’re excited to share it with you – join us if you can!

this event is part of 'Our Seeds' – the ongoing project to rebuild seed sovereignty in north Edinburgh
~~ Our Seeds: All Seeds are Migrants, Every Seed Has a Story ~~

Who is This For?

This workshop is for suitable for beginners. You don’t need to have your own garden or allotment – maybe you will one day. Or you can use these skills in any community growing space. The teaching is aimed at adults but you’re welcome to attend with a baby or young child. It is a repeat of the September workshop with the same name - you don't need to attend both!

Accessibility Notes

We will start with the plants and seeds in our Community Allotments and Garden. If it's wet weather, we will then go into the portacabin in the farmyard - there is one step up to this. For the afternoon, we will walk across the farm to the Market Garden to explore the seed saving and processing here. Throughout, we will be moving around on uneven, rough grassy ground which can get muddy.

If it would support you to be able to access this event, we can arrange parking in the market garden so you could drive around rather than walking across the farm. This is for disabled people who need it for access - please contact us to arrange.

There is a spacious, single cubicle, level access, gender-neutral composting toilet in both gardens.

We will mostly be outdoors – be prepared for windy north Edinburgh! There will be some hands-on activity, but no heavy lifting. We have outdoor kit you can borrow (wellies, waterproofs, fleeces). We don’t have microphones, but will be a fairly small group (under 20 people).

See below about ticket pricing and financial accessibility.

About the Workshop Prices

We have three different prices for this workshop. Paying the standard rate makes a contribution to covering our costs. If you can afford to pay the higher rate, you enable us to offer the discounted rate to folk under financial stress.

Solidarity (Pay it Forward) £60
Standard Rate £40
Solidarity (Take if you Need) £20
+ booking fee

We can arrange a free space if the cost would prevent you from being able to attend – please contact us to request this

Location

This course starts in the farm's Community Garden. The entrance is just past the farmyard at the back of the Toby Carvery car park.

You can get travel directions via what3words:

https://what3words.com/eagles.guess.tree

Please use public transport, walk, wheel or cycle to get to the farm whenever possible.

Lothian Buses 16, 27, 29, 37 & 47 all stop within 5 minutes of the farm and there is a bike rack in the farmyard.

There is no public parking on the farm. We can support a small number of vehicles to drive onto the farm to park at the entrance - this is reserved for disabled people who need it as an access requirement. Please contact us in advance if you need this arrangement.