Wellbeing

Authentic Living

The UK’s top holistic columnist on why we should all be growing our own

Seed Power

Seeds are the centre of our lives, whether we plant them for our food, think of them as metaphors for our growth and development or use them to grow beautiful gardens. By nurturing our seeds with the same care and tenderness that we need to nurture our lives, we can be fed, healthy and sheltered.
However I have been very concerned about the future of seeds on our planet for some time. Our traditional agricultural methods are being constantly destroyed by the corporate giants, who push their genetically-modified products out on the world’s markets. There seem to be endless stories of farmers from India to Africa and from the American farmlands to our own British growers being forced into moving away from the natural methods of producing our food. Farmers in North America are now sued if their neighbour’s GM seeds fall in their fields and merge with their organic crops, putting them out of business and out of their farms.

Bio-diversity is the natural way of farming here seeds evolve over time to suit the climate and the surroundings. I am so lucky to live near two biodynamic farms near Sussex where this most traditional way of farming produces the most delicious fruit and vegetables I have ever eaten.

However if the multi-nationals have their way, we will be forced into eating unnatural food, grown in forced unnatural ways.

There is a compelling new film just out called Seeds of Freedom, produced by The Gaia Foundation together with the African Biodiversity Network, which charts the story of seed from its roots at the heart of traditional, diversity-rich farming systems across the world to being transformed into a powerful commodity, used to monopolise the global food system. Please watch it when you get some time at seedsoffreedom.info – it will change the way you think about your food and the seeds that it comes from.

“We have the power of seeds in our hands”

The encouraging end to the film reminds us that we have the power of seed in our hands. We are the consumers and we can demand to eat and buy food grown in the traditional way without harm to nature or to our bodies.

For more information on SEED activities and GROW weekend workshops on business, life and community visit lynnefranksgarden.com

TRY THIS:
How To Be A Powerful Seed

Plant some seeds in your garden or in a pot near your special place of meditation.

Then nuture the seeds as you would your life, making their wellbeing a metaphor for your own growth

Focus on them during your meditation and visualise them growing into becoming strong, healthy plants with powerful roots in the earth.

Ask the power of the seeds to become your power allowing you to grow into all you were born to be.

GROW YOUR OWN
My friend, horticulturist Jayne Lawton of GroBox (groboxgardens.co.uk), produces gardens in a box, which can be literally planted in your garden or your window box and when watered and cared for will grow into beautiful organic veggies, herbs or flowers. Jane believes, as I do, that looking after a garden – whether in a box or in your backyard – is a wonderful way of practical caring for your life and your family.

Jane and I are looking at how we can work with others to grow a global seed bank which will ensure that natural, organic seeds are sourced to be available to all – from South African grandmothers growing their permaculture gardens to feed their orphan grandchildren to inner-city gardens in our own country where communities can ensure that their families are fed with the healthiest vegetables available.

Let me know on seednetworkingforwomen.com if you would like to be part of our seed network, ensuring that generations to come can be fed on the healthiest food available. And please join me on all our other SEED activities, where you can grow the seeds of your own life into a blossoming beautiful garden.

Article by

Lynne Franks

Author, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Lifestyle Guru

is an acclaimed author, entrepreneur, broadcaster and lifestyle guru

Discover more

Article by

Lynne Franks

Author, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Lifestyle Guru

is an acclaimed author, entrepreneur, broadcaster and lifestyle guru

Discover more