The complex process behind running an organic seed farm | Discovery | Gardening Australia

Millie explores a farm with a focus on seeds and their potential to provide both beauty and food security. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
On the southern tip of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is a 3-ha block where Robin Koster-Carlyon and Peter Carlyon decided to set up small-scale farm. They originally ran it as a market garden growing vegetables, and Robin committed herself to learning everything she could about soil management, but she soon realised that it was all worthless without good seed.
The farm now focuses on producing high-quality seed of vegetables, flowers and herbs that are grown to suit local conditions.
Robyn’s passion is growing seed while Peter’s is growing soil - his main method is planting a green manure crop that is later cut down and returned to the soil, adding nutrients and organic material to feed the soil and its resident microbes. It’s the main way they feed their sandy soil; no manure or other fertilizers are brought in.
Different plant varieties have to be spaced out or covered with isolation tunnels so that they don’t cross-pollinate with related species. This not only ensures the seed will grow into the plant that is named on the packet, but also the best form of the plant can be grown.
Banks of native vegetation also helps isolate different crops.
Robin is uncompromising in her pursuit of the perfect flower. With zinnias, for example, she will remove any plants that produce flowers that have reverted to an unwanted form while under stress, and then she re-sows the whole crop using seed from the remaining ‘good’ plants to slowly breed out any weaker genes.
Collecting and sorting seed is a slow, laborious process, often done by hand, although a new winnowing machine has helped, and results in a higher-quality seed with better germination rates.
“The potential for one little seed - that food security feels like a good contribution,” says Robin.
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[@safarisusan]

The wonders of this world. Thank you to these people for doing this work 🙏🏻

[@justlittleolme7977]

These practices of nurturing and growing soil, seeds, and plants are what we need in the world!
Great segment. Thanks 😊

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for watching!

[@heqianli4292]

Me too，I feel that’s great ~~I also want to join ~~

[@RareRootsOfJoyMelbourne]

What a wonderful couple with a great attitude to plant cultivation. I was raised on the Mornington Peninsula and it’s such a fabulous area that was so undervalued for so long as I recall growing up.
Great story 💚🙏🏼

[@brianquinn5060]

That was mind blowing. Nature in Style. Thanks to you for all your purity in selection ,and Gardening Australia.

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Simply fantastic! I so enjoy these informative videos. Well done Gardening Australia 🇦🇺!👴🏻

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for watching!

[@BxTekNurd]

Mainly for myself i collect seeds but i also give them away to people I meet.
Its always been a passion of mine to try to collect as many as I can to never have to buy them again 😊

[@sureshfernando8965]

You all are doing greate job. we can get lot of new idea about gardening. your presenters are so cute and lovely. I like them, they got nice voices. Thank you so much....Im from Sri Lanka. ❤

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for the great feedback and for watching!

[@lesliedevlin8501]

Great show people 💯💯💯👍👍👍 Les from Perth WA 👀👀👀

[@GardeningAustralia]

Thanks for watching

[@Jsak666]

what is the place called? How can I get these seeds? I am from the Mornington Peninsula and would love to have quality seed from a local supplier!

[@Jsak666]

Don't worry, its called Transition Farm

[@GardeningAustralia]

Yes it is Transition Farm! I’m sure they would love your support James.