Ken of Hudson Valley Seed Library recently left a comment here, and I’ve since had a brief email exchange with him. He has a nice arrangement for people living in the US Northeast (probably not where a lot of you reading this live), where you become a member then ‘check out’ seeds like a library book. The idea is you replace the seeds the following year with seeds from your own garden.
In particular Ken mentioned they are doing a lot of work with dehybridizing commercial F1 hybrids, and acclimating them to their local climate.
If you live in the US Northeast, consider becoming a member!
Interesting! I happen to have spent my high school years in the Hudson Valley and I’m glad that they are preserving local varieties. A Way To Garden mentioned buying from them and their unique packaging illustrated by local artists. Dehybridizing is particularly interesting. Daphne from Daphne’s Dandelions is doing a an experiment on the growth of her F2 Sungolds. I happen to have saved seeds from hybrid ridgegourds, maybe I should plant them and see what happens!
BTW, I’m having a giveaway this week, check it out if you’re interested!