Glasgow Seed Library

Keeping the Seeds

Sat 7 October 2023

Tickets no longer available

Relaxed event

A plate of drying squash seeds arranged in a circle, beside other seeds on a table.

Caring for Seeds workshop with Glasgow Artist Moving Image Studios. Photo by Erica Stevenson.

What flourished this year? Do you have seeds to share?

Join Glasgow Seed Library for a practical seedkeeping workshop, hosted by East Pollokshields Quad. Learn different harvest techniques and timing, dry seed extraction and cleaning, wet seed processing and fermenting, and seed storage and labelling.

As well as getting hands-on, there will be space to share our seed stories and experiences with growing. We’ll also discuss ideas and strategies for growing seed justice here in Scotland, and around the world.

Bring your seeds to be processed: pea, bean and brassica pods should be dried and crispy for podding; tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers can be brought as whole fruits; squash and courgette should be left on the plant until they harden into gourds and marrows; wildflower, lettuce and other seeds should be gathered as whole dried seed heads. Anything else, bring it along and we’ll work it out together!

The workshop will take place outside but under cover, so please dress appropriately for the weather and rough ground. Accompanied children of all ages are very welcome but please note that the workshop material will be aimed at adults.

We are running seedkeeping workshops across Glasgow this Autumn, so it is likely we are coming to a garden near you!

Accessibility

East Pollokshields Quad is not fully wheelchair accessible: there is a tarmac entrance drive and then woodchip and gravel paths. There are accessible toilets located at Pollokshields Library, a 5 minute walk away. Please email glasgowseedlibrary@cca-glasgow.com if you would like more information or have any other access needs.

About the organisers

Organised by Glasgow Seed Library and hosted by East Pollokshields Quad.

East Pollokshields Quad is community group made up of volunteers who work together to maintain their shared tenement green space. Residents and the wider community can enjoy the space as a place to grow their own food, connect with the natural world and one another.

Glasgow Seed Library is a collection of seeds and a community of growers. The library stocks organic and open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds for everyone to borrow, grow and save. Throughout the year, Glasgow Seed Library organises free workshops, talks and events around seed stewardship, community growing and earth care.