Seed Farm

We farm on a plot generously lent to us by the Norwell Conservation Commission. By growing plants from locally collected wild seed, we can increase the supply of true local ecotype seed without relying on additional wild harvesting.

As stewards of this farmland, our goal is to keep it functioning as farmland for future generations. This means mowing at times—without it, most New England meadows naturally revert to forest.

Collecting Seeds

Our seed that we farm is all collected from locally wild populations, making it "local eco-type". We have permission from several Conservation Commissions and owners of private land to collect wild seed. We do so only as needed and in keeping with a commitment to good genetic diversity. We don't sell the seeds we collect from the wild, those are used to grow plants to harvest their seed.

Genetics/Ecotype

Although we, in New England, could easily ship in seed from California or Florida for species native to New England...these seeds would be adapted to the climate of their original source. Boston weather might be a bit of a surprise. We are in ecotype 59: Northeastern Coastal Zone. So we collect within this region. A map for a more detailed summary of ecotype can be found here.

PURCHASE

2025 updates

Added species:

Eupatorium pilosum (rough boneset),
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower),
Sericocarpus linifolius (Narrow-leaf white-top-aster),
Symphyotrichum racemosum (small white American aster),
Symphyotrichum undulatum (Wavyleaf aster),
Solidago patula (Roundleaf goldenrod),
Lobelia siphilitica (Great blue lobelia),
Sericocarpus asteroides (Toothed white-top-aster),
Carex crinita (Fringed sedge),
Carex lurida (shallow sedge),
Solidago squarrosa (stout goldenrod)

2024 updates

Added species:

Monarda fistulosa (Bee Balm),
Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata (Self-heal),
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)

2023 updates

Added species:

Eurybia spectabilis (Eastern showy aster),
Hypericum punctatum (Spotted St. John’s-wort),
Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod),
Pycnanthumum muticum (clustered mountain mint)

2022 updates

documenting wild species at Barstow

So far we’ve been tracking what species are growing wild, removed many of the invasive species such as autumn olive, multiflora rose, and purple loosestrife.

Added species:

Helenium autumnale (Fall Sneezeweed),
Asclepias incarnata ssp. pulchera (Eastern Swamp milkweed),
Ionactis linariifolia (stiff aster),
Liatris scariosa v.novae angliae (New England blazing star),
Chamaecrista Fasciculata (Partridge pea),
Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod)

Our first harvest: Houstonia caerula (bluets)

2021 updates

started documenting wild species at Barstow

Added species:

Houstonia caerula (bluets)