the seed is the basis of independence / Article

The best seeds are those grown right here in Latvia, even better if they are inherited from mothers and grandmothers, have survived many frosts, hardened in the climatic natural conditions of Latvia. Ilze Mežniece, one of the ambassadors of seed connoisseurs in Latgale, is convinced of this. She also emphasizes that own seeds are also a certain independence from others, because with their existence you can safely feed your family.

“We for ours, for our seeds, for our plants!”

During this time, Ilze Mežniece visits seed exchange points in Latgale, meets with residents and invites them to bring, exchange and share the seeds they have collected from crops.

This time she is in the Krāslava library, but it is more interesting to meet Ilzi at her own farm.

“I want to talk about our own grown seeds! Think for yourself, you go to the store and buy a packet of colorful, pretty seeds, but where did that cucumber come from? For example, if you want to grow a cucumber. Where will that cucumber be sown, and where did it grow before lived? Maybe in Poland, maybe basked in sunny France or maybe even in Morocco.

And if you put that seed in the land of Latvia, then that seed will open its eyes and open its mouth in surprise – and you want me to grow here, after the warm climate of France?!

But at the same time, our Latvian cucumber, which you harvested yourself the previous year, is used to it – yes, this is Latvia, with those clayey or sandy soils, with its changing climate, late frosts, yes, I know it, everything will be fine, let’s grow! That’s why I invite everyone – we for ours, for our seeds, for our plants!” stresses Mežniece.

Latvia is rich in its own crops, and it should be honored and put in the ground, and planted, and propagated, emphasizes Ilze Mežniece.

“It’s better if we have our own seeds, because then we know for sure, especially if it comes from a family that has already been taken over. Be it peas, onions, potatoes or beans. If you catch that feeling, then you have a completely different idea of ​​Latvia local food from our own seeds, grown by us,” explains Mežniece.

“I have garlic, I took five pieces because I like summer garlic. They are more fragrant and tastier that way. I carefully stored them for next year, and if anyone is interested, I can also share them,” she adds.

People’s “scientific institute” – also share their stories at the seed exchange points

Mrs. Marta is an economist by profession and is engaged in horticulture in Auleja Parish, Krāslava County. She brought garlic to the seed exchange point.

“I know that not all places grow these garlic, somehow I managed to save them. They have been growing at my place since my mother-in-law’s time, for more than 20 years,” she reveals.

But Mrs. Marija’s hobby is flowers, they have been grown for years and are meant not only for beauty.

“It is important that the seeds do not disappear, but go further. When the velvets have bloomed, I cut them with scissors in the greenhouse, dig them into the ground, so that the ground recovers,” says Mrs. Marija.

These stories of experiences are also shared by other visiting gardeners at the seed exchange points. There is a lot of interest in the events.

We can even consider the seed conservators as a kind of “scientific institute” of the people, enthusiastically tells the ambassador of the seed conservators in Latgale, Ilze Mežniece.

“The movement of seed keepers in Latvia has grown rapidly recently. This means that there are many more people who are aware of how important it is to have your own seeds. A seed is already the basis of independence, if I have seeds, then I can grow and to feed our own in the end,” says Mežniece.

“Rhubarb grows in my garden, still planted by my grandmother, it was big when I was still little and when my mother was little, it was also big and growing in that place. Then there are such treasures as spring asparagus, which grow into flowers for all of us. But in general it’s already the case with many modern housewives – I didn’t manage to collect it from my grandmother, somehow I didn’t appreciate when it was before my grandmother left. We didn’t manage to take over the seeds that she had grown. That’s why my garden is currently being sown and planted by what I have Collected at seed exchange points in Latvia. But here in Ambeli, every self-respecting housewife has her own garlic and her own family onions. Even scientists say that in one village you can find 10 different genetically completely different types. It’s possible that your village has them too, if you look! Search, grow, so that you grow well!” calls Mežniece.

You can find out about the nearest seed exchange points by visiting the website Lietovelreiz.lv.