Organic Seed Production Manuals
Seed Production Manuals specific to the Mid-Atlantic and South
Seed Production Manuals specific to the Pacific Northwest
Organic Seed Production
in the Mid-Atlantic and SouthThe following organic seed growing guides can be ordered as printed manuals directly from Garden Medicinals and Culinaries. Future plans include offering all of these manuals in electronic form for download. All were written by Jeff McCormack, Ph.D. who has been in the seed business since 1982. These are the latest versions available. Currently two of these manuals (Seed Processing and Storage, and Bean Seed Production) are being translated into Spanish by the ACDI/VOCA office in Bolivia. When completed, these will be available in electronic version as free downloads. We are hoping to find locate individuals or agencies who can translate the other 5 manuals into Spanish.
ISOLATION DISTANCES
This manual covers the principles and practices of determining and maintaining proper isolation distances. Understanding how to establish proper isolation distances is critical for maintaining the purity of seed crops. Of special importance to small scale organic seed growers, especially those in biodiverse regions, this manual demystifies one of the least understood areas of seed crop production. Preview the table of contents. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 21 pages.
Place order.SEED PROCESSING AND STORAGE
This manual covers the principles and practices of seed processing. Covers seed harvesting, extraction, processing, drying, storage, longevity, dormancy, seed laws, seed treatments, germination testing, germination enhancement techniques, and also useful tables and appendices. The emphasis is on organic practices, especially in hot, humid regions, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Preview the table of contents. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 28 pages.
Place order.BEAN SEED PRODUCTION
This manual focuses on small-scale production of high-quality organic bean seed in hot, humid areas such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Three types of beans are covered: common beans, lima or butter beans, and runner beans. Topics include plant characteristics, climate and regional growing requirements, pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, selection and roguing, cultural requirements, harvesting, threshing and winnowing, seed storage and shipping, and organic control of major insect pests and diseases. View a sample page. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 14 pages.
Place order.BRASSICA SEED PRODUCTION
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic brassica seed. This manual is devoted to the major cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) and the minor cole crops (Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards). Topics include botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, techniques for avoiding inbreeding depression, seed production methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. View a sample page. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 18 pages.
Place order.CUCURBIT SEED PRODUCTION
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic cucurbit seed. This manual is devoted to the major domesticated culinary species of squash (5 species), cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon. Topics include species identification, botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, pollination, hand pollination, breeding, isolation distances, interspecies crossing, roguing, harvest timing, seed production and processing, seed extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. View a sample page. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 36 pages.
Place order.PEPPER SEED PRODUCTION
Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic pepper seed. Five species of peppers are covered. Topics include species characteristics and identification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, harvest timing, seed production and extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. View a sample page. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 18 pages.
Place order.TOMATO SEED PRODUCTION
This manual focuses on small-scale production of high quality organic tomato seed in hot, humid areas, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Topics include pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, cultural methods, selection, harvest timing, methods of seed extraction and fermentation, washing and drying the seed, organic control of major insect pests and diseases, control of seed-borne diseases, seed disinfection and storage. View a sample page. Velo-bound manual, 8-1/2" x 11", 15 pages.
Place order.Organic Seed Production
in the Pacific NorthwestThe following seed production manuals were published by the Organic Seed Alliance. These are free for download as PDF files. Note: These are large files ranging from 4.5 MB to 6.1 MB and take a while to download if on a dial-up connection.
BEAN SEED PRODUCTION
Principles and Practices of Organic Bean Seed Production the Pacific Northwest
[PDF format, 12 pages, 4.8 MB]RADISH SEED PRODUCTION
Principles and Practices of Organic Radish Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
[PDF format, 12 pages, 6.1 MB]SPINACH SEED PRODUCTION
Principles and Practices of Organic Spinach Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
[PDF format, 13 pages, 4.5 MB]
