From the Field
by Joel Reiten

In more ways than one, Mother Nature has always had a pretty big hand in seed production. With cool, wet conditions that just don’t seem to want to go away, this year’s continued La Niña-influenced weather pattern is something the seed producers in the Northwest don’t like to see. Normally, by the first of June all of the seed crops have been planted and are on their way. This year’s spring has delayed planting and crop development here on the west coast. We will be putting the last of the tomato transplants in the ground this week, if we don’t get the rain in the forecast! Despite the late start, most seed crops will be ok with harvest just a little later.

Our seed crops in most of the rest of the country are reported to be in good shape. A recent trip to California allowed me to check the carrot and onion seed crops there and a trip to Washington and Idaho late in June found me examining brassica, pea and bean crops. Richard Bernard, Seeds of Change Research Manager, accompanied me to Washington to look at the spinach seed trials with the Organic Seed Alliance as well as some spinach stock seed production. Here in Oregon the radish seed crops are beginning to bolt and the squash crops are nearly all emerged. The tomatoes and broccoli, as well as a number of smaller flower seed crops, are all in as well. We are also doing some basil seed production here in Oregon and are looking at various levels of organic fertility and how fertility effects basil bolting and seed quality.

At this point pollinators seem to be in good shape. While many of our beekeepers have reported more hive loss over the winter, finding adequate numbers of hives for pollination doesn’t seem to be a big problem. We will also be doing some work with leaf cutter bees for squash and sunflower pollination. The leafcutters haven’t been affected by colony collapse disorder to the extent that honeybees have. In addition, we continue to work with insectary plantings to bring a wider diversity of beneficial insects and wild pollinators to the seed crops.

Joel Reiten
Seed Production Manager