“DON”T CHUCK US AWAY BECAUSE WE ARE OLD! “ A SEED STORY.
With our vegetable seeds, cucumber has the longest viability. I have kept them in storage at room temp for 11 years and they have still grown well.
Our Local native seeds don’t have public records of their “best before” dates. However after 35 years of growing them I usually have a reasonable idea as to when various species loose vigour with age or get too old.
I am preparing for another nursery season — with thousands of pots waiting to be filled with native seed — I began the familiar task of sorting through my seed collection. The intention is to clear out older batches and replace them with fresh seed. Unless species have an after ripening period, fresh seed is usually more vigorous and germinates quicker.

I reach for the Alyogyne seed box — it is our local native hibiscus.

Inside, included two old seed batches from 2005 and 2006. Twenty and twenty-one years old. I had kept them because every few years, when I tested them, they quietly proved their worth again. Still, this season I assumed it would be their final trial.

It wasn’t.

They germinated in five days, alongside fresher seed — with the same strength, the same intent to grow.

It’s a gentle reminder that age does not necessarily equal decline.

It’s hard not to see the parallel. In our families, our communities, our workplaces — how often do we rush to replace what is older, assuming newer must be better?

Every morning, my first job is to check thousands of plant pots, to see who has germinated over night? Every morning I am continally in awe as I discover more seeds springing to life. “Bringing seeds to life is a good life.“

If you need any native plants grown to order, contact us now. They will be ready for planting toward the beginning of winter May-June.

MB: JOHNNY: 0458 381628
Drylands Permaculture Nursery
Geraldton. ... See MoreSee Less

The Murchison Settlement calls..
Thursday we ran a Native Plant ID and Propagation Workshop at the Murchison Settlement with their local staff. This place is progressing way past an oasis, it is oozing with history, environmental stewardship and community connections along with catering for tourists, travellers and local service people.

Thanks to Community Manager, Bec Fogarty for organising this workshop. The Settlement is a fabulous outback space with only 250mm annual rainfall (although this year has been very dry), a thriving community garden, small nursery and wonderfully engaging staff.

They are lucky enough to have ground water to use for their gardens hence its desert oasis signature.

I look forward to see our freshly collected and planted local native seeds bursting out of their pots. Growing plants in high temperatures over 40C is always a challenge so let’s hope weather is kind this season.

And finally — a big thank you to my offsider, Nan Broad, for her support, great company, and capturing the spirit of the day with her workshop photography. 🌱 ... See MoreSee Less