Certain plants like pumpkins and other types of squash cross-pollinate easily, so special care has to be taken to protect the plants from unintended genetic mixing. Cohill, for instance, grows only one type of pumpkin each year, and he covers the flowers with paper cups to protect them from bees so he can pollinate them by hand. It s an effort, but it s not a stretch to say it just might be saving a plant variety from extinction. Because of the seeds obtained from him, the melon has been brought back to the point that it s a commercial success, Cohill said. To heirloom lovers, that kind of success tastes mighty sweet.
Members receive a yearbook that lists the varieties of seeds available from other members.
Seed Savers also has an online catalog that is available to nonmembers.