As summer comes to an end, some areas of the vegetable garden become free, leaving the soil without plant cover. Sow autumn green manures to protect it throughout the winter. Winter vetch, clover, sainfoin, rye, oats… these hardy plants survive the winter as young seedlings before producing, the following spring, a large amount of plant biomass.
Sowing advice
Loosen the soil with a broadfork or a cultivator before sowing the green manures. Mix the seeds with sand or a bit of old potting soil and broadcast them at the recommended rates, then lightly firm the soil after sowing.
Over 75% of cultivated biodiversity has disappeared, primarily due to the agro-industrial practices of European farms. Kokopelli is a French association dedicated to promoting heirloom seeds since 1999.
Today, we preserve thousands seeds varieties, including 400 varieties of tomatoes seeds, and offer for sale each year between 1,600 and 2,000 references.
Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated plants passed down through generations, known for their rich, complex flavors and diverse shapes, sizes, and colors. These seedlings adapt well to local conditions, and their seeds can be saved and replanted to produce true-to-type offspring. In contrast, hybrid varieties are created by cross-pollinating different parent plants trying to achieve specific traits like uniformity, disease resistance, and high yield. While hybrids are often easier to grow commercially, their flavor are less complex, and seeds from hybrids result in plants that are markedly different from their parent plants.
How do heirloom seeds contribute to biodiversity in home gardens?
Heirloom seeds contribute to biodiversity in home gardens by preserving old and rare plant varieties that are not typically found in commercial agriculture. By growing heirloom seeds, gardeners help maintain genetic diversity and protect plant species from extinction.
How can I ensure high germination rates with heirloom seeds?
To achieve high germination rates, store your seeds in a cool, dry place until planting. Ensure your garden soil is well-aerated and moist. Remember, proper planting depth and timing are critical; refer to the seed packet for specific instructions tailored to each variety.
Why should gardeners consider using heirloom seeds?
Gardeners should consider using heirloom seeds because they offer a wide range of old-fashioned flavors and heritage varieties, providing a unique and diverse selection of vegetables to grow in their gardens.
Can I save seeds from heirloom plants?
Absolutely! One of the most rewarding aspects of growing heirloom plants is the ability to save seeds from year to year. Since these plants are open-pollinated, seeds collected from your garden will produce plants similar to the parent plant. This practice not only saves money but also gradually creates a seed stock specially adapted to your local growing conditions.
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On his small 8-hectare farm, 'Aux ânes et caetera,' in Creuse, Adrien has dedicated 5,000 square meters to the production of vegetable and flower seeds since 2020.
Alan has been a seed producer for over 30 years in the rocky mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes. He cultivates many varieties of the same species, thanks to his expertise in managing different maturity stages.
Alexandre has been growing for Kokopelli for several years now. Currently based in Corrèze, he grows and multiplies nearly a hundred varieties.
New seed producers since 2022, Marie and Auriane multiply a variety of plants on 2000 m² in the Roya valley.
In Ariège, Maxime, Ananda and the whole Cotyledon team produce around a hundred varieties, annuals and perennials, in the open ground and under glass.
New to seed production, Béatrice works a market gardening plot of 1 heactare, in Haute-Loire, on which she aims to cultivate 1,000 square meters for 2022.
Based in the Dordogne region of France, Benoît has added producing seeds for Kokopelli to his multitude of activities, starting this year.
Benoît and Thomas, based in Belgium on a farm with various agroecological projects, have been producing seeds for Kokopelli since 2020 through their agricultural company, Anthesis. They cultivate nearly 80 varieties of vegetables, flowers, and aromatic plants.
At Jardin des Tribules, Lisa and Blandine work 2,500 m2 of land on the banks of the river at an altitude of 650 m in Haute-Loire.
Cédric, based in Indre-et-Loire, has been growing for Kokopelli since 2017. He cultivates 50 to 100 varieties and produces around fifty plants each year on 7,000 square meters.
It was on the edge of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park that Fanny began her seed production activity for Kokopelli.
Fred has been cultivating for Kokopelli since 2021, growing 12 to 10 varieties in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne region.
Gabriel has been multiplying seeds since 2018 on his farm "Aux Grez des Graines", cultivating 50 to 80 different varieties on 1 hectare of open field and 200 square meters of greenhouses.
Based in the eastern Périgord region, Greg multiplies around 50 vegetable and flower species on nearly 1 hectare of land.
Since 2021, Ivan has been growing around thirty varieties on his 3-hectare farm, nestled in the Ardèche cliffs.
Ivan and Fanny joined the Kokopelli network of producers in 2019. They cultivate around twenty varieties near Toulouse, on a former 4-hectare farm.
At the eastern end of the Haute-Vienne, Jean-Michel has been a seed producer since 1996.
Jérôme produces seeds on a 500 m² plot in the Hautes-Pyrénées and joined the Kokopelli network of producers in 2022.
In the Black Perigord in the Dordogne region, Jonathan multiplies between 25 and 35 varieties of vegetables and flowers in 1,500 square meters of open fields.
Julien, established in seed production on a former meadow in Ardèche, multiplies between 40 and 60 varieties on 4,000 square meters of living soil.
Based in the south-east of Cantal, at an altitude of 1000 m, Julien has been growing around fifty varieties for Kokopelli since 2018 on his diversified 5 ha farm.
For many years now, Karine has been cultivating around forty varieties for Kokopelli on her 1 hectare farm located in the south-east of Creuse, at an altitude of 700 m.
Set at an altitude of 850 m on the slopes of a verdant ridge in the Haute-Loire, Kevin propagates between 50 and 75 varieties, depending on the year, on his 3,000 m² plot.
Kevin multiplies his seeds not far from the Rhône, east of Lyon, for Kokopelli.
Laure begins her first season for Kokopelli with a selection of flower varieties in the south of Loir-et-Cher.
Lucien grows and reproduces around thirty vegetable and green manure varieties at EARL Rochemault, a 25-hectare farm located in Maine-et-Loire region.
Mathieu is based in Lot-et-Garonne, on a 5-hectare plot of meadow, woodland and marshland, bordering a 9-hectare lake. He produces around thirty varieties of seed on 2000m2 of land.
Not far from the Gironde Estuary, Nadia and Luc produce over 100 varieties, many of them perennials.
Based in Haute-Loire, Rachel began her first season in 2021 with 23 varieties grown on her 3,000 square meters of cultivated land.
Silvia, based in the north-east of the Hérault region, grows seeds of almost 70 varieties.
Based in Switzerland, Sativa brings together and distributes biodynamic seeds from nearly a hundred seed multipliers in Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy. The cooperative produces around 80 varieties for Kokopelli.
Sofi, a seed producer since 2021, is based near the ocean in the south of Finistère, where she grows around ten varieties each year.
At P’tit Vallon, Tangi has been multiplying 10 to 15 varieties on his microfarm since 2020.
On his 26 hectare farm located in Bierné-les-Villages, Thibaud multiplies around 80 varieties of vegetables and flowers on 1 hectare.
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