What is the Peace Corps Paraguay Seed Bank?

The objectives of the Seed Bank are:
1. To provide Paraguayans access to non-hybrid seeds (of green manures, trees, garden & field crops, etc.) that they cannot otherwise afford or find locally;
2. To promote sustainability through seed-saving;
3. To operate sustainably by making loans of seed (at 10% interest rate) through Peace Corps Volunteers; and
4. To ultimately help seed other local and regional seed banks throughout Paraguay.

Seed Bank Blog Information

How do PCVs & Chokokuekuera contribute to this blog?
- Anyone wishing to share experiences or information may send the author of this blog the content they wish to have posted. Please send photos along with your content. The email address to send your posts to is: seedbankpcpy@gmail.com

How is blog intended to help those interested?
- This blog is intended to be a resource for everyone planting and seed saving around Paraguay. The seed bank committee will also use blog gather information helpful to its continued success and the success of its members.

What are the key areas and goals of this blog?
1. Communication and Information Sharing
2. Information Gathering
3. Providing Resources and Useful Links
4. A Guide to Seed Saving as a Part of a Sustainable Livelihood System

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Garden Seed Review from Mystery PCV

I was handed a sheet of results for various garden seeds from the seed bank at the last NVAC meeting and for the life of me I can't remember who it was. So if this is you take some recognition because this is some great info!

Seed Bank Garden Seeds
Green Arrow Pea - Cultivated in Winter of '08 and grew well
Watermelon Moon and Stars - Cultivated in Summer of '08 and grew well
Watermelon Sugar Baby - Cultivated in Summer of '08-09 and grew well
Black Hungarion Pepper - Cultivated in Summer of '08 and grew well
Big Top Carrot - Cultivated in Summer of '09 and failed, probably due to poor soil quality or infected seeds
Nautes Half-long Carrot - Cultivated in Summer of '09 and failed, probably due to poor soil or infected seeds
Early Silver Line Melon - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and grew well
Early Golden Crook-neck - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and failed, insect problems and couldn't produce fruit
Summer Squash Early Prolific Straight-neck - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and failed, insect problems and couldn't produce fruit
Armenian Cucumber - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and failed, insect problems and couldn't produce fruit
Golden Zuchinni - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and failed, insect problems and couldn't produce fruit
Woods Prolific Brush Scallian - Cultivated in Fall/Summer '09 and failed, due to drought NDOKYSEI!!!
Sibley's Squash - Cultivated in Summer '08-09 and failed, due to insect problems
Triamble Squash - Cultivated in Summer '09 and failed, due to insect problems
Galivex Squash - Cultivated in Fall of '08 and failed, due to insect problems

Editor's Note:
I have found that starting even the large direct planting seeds, like squash, in almacigos can really help the plants get going. This is especially effective during a drought or if you garden is falta a little avono. Almacigos can be planted with a disproportionate ammount of avono soil to normal soil.