Minnesota Prairie Roots

A garden lab at Seed Savers Exchange, photographed in September.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT, as an adult, I would grow a big garden from which I would gather produce to eat fresh, can and freeze. But the reality is that, since leaving my childhood farm 44 years ago, I’ve never lived in a place with enough sunny space for a garden.

An easy-to-grow-from-seed flower, the sturdy zinnia, photographed at Seed Savers Exchange.

Sure, I’ve grown tomatoes in pots and seeded lettuce and spinach into the earth, but not with great success. I’ve had my most success with herbs. I began growing those only in recent years and wonder why I didn’t do so earlier. The taste of freshly-clipped rosemary, basil and oregano is superior to dried.

Cow art at Seed Savers Exchange.

While this sign warned of a bull at Seed Savers, I never saw one.

Dying morning glories drape the Seed Savers barn accented by a vintage lawn chair.

While lack of land and time kept me from gardening, I appreciate the art I learned long ago on a Minnesota farm. There I planted, weeded and harvested in the garden.

This signage explains the test garden at Seed Savers.

A sign at Seed Savers for cucumbers I tasted in Faribault.

Flowers and vegetables mix in Seed Savers gardens.

I appreciate those who continue the time-honored tradition of gardening. Like Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. Like family members. Like those who sell fresh produce at farmers’ markets. Like my local library, which has a community garden. From that public garden I sampled this summer lemon cucumbers and chocolate peppers, originating from Seed Savers seeds. And when I entered Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault, I passed by pollinator friendly flowers like the draping Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate blooms, also from the Seed Savers collection.

About those morning glories on the barn…

There’s lots to learn at Seed Savers Exchange.

Seed Savers, even for a now non-gardener like me, proves an interesting place to visit. For the history. For the education shared in signage and plants. For the reminder that it’s important to save seeds, to grow the food we eat, to plant the flowers that bloom beauty into the landscape and into our souls.

So many seeds to choose from at Seed Savers…

…even milkweed seeds to plant for Monarch butterflies.

TELL ME: Are you or have you been a gardener? I’d like to hear your stories. Or, if you’ve been to Seed Savers, I’d like to hear your take on this place.

© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling