Seed to Seed (Pollination)

Join a workshop as part of learning how to grow a crop for seed production, focusing on the pollination of squash, at a community scale.

This is the second event of a new project for 2025, devised in collaboration by The Wash House Garden, Glasgow Seed Library and Glasgow Community Food Network's Food and Climate Action project.

The project is focussing on growing a special variety, Desert Spirit – a diverse and beautiful landrace of squash that was originally selected for taste by Wild Mountain Seeds in Colorado. We are growing this squash in honour of Casey Piscura: farmer, plant breeder, and community seed saver.

In this workshop, participants will learn skills related to:

• Hand pollination of squash

• Isolation techniques in order to save seed

• Observing and discussing pests and diseases

• Discussion about relevant pollinators

• Methods of documenting the journey of a seed crop
  

We will be tending to the seedlings sown in our first workshop. At the end of the growing season, we will host a harvest and seed saving event, with a community meal.

Some of the squash seeds will be deposited in Glasgow Seed Library for the community to borrow and grow in 2026, and others will be distributed as part of a national crowd breeding initiative led by The Gaia Foundation.

About the organisers

Glasgow Seed Library is a collection of seeds and a community of growers. Throughout the year, we run free workshops, talks and events around seed saving, community growing, food justice and earth care. The library stocks organic and open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds for everyone to borrow, grow and save. By learning to save and share seed locally, we can nurture unique varieties and adapt our plants to a changing Scottish climate.

The Wash House Garden was borne out of a desire to feel a sense of mutual support and solidarity in a society in which communities have been decimated across the generations, and to grow and eat delicious food that nourished body and soul, soil and planet in spite of our globalised, environmentally damaging, and frankly bland modern food system.

Glasgow Community Food Network's Food and Climate Action project, funded by The National Lottery, the Food & Climate Action Project is a five year partnership between Glasgow Eco Trust, St Paul’s Youth Forum, Central and West Integration Network, The Wash House Garden & Urban Roots, and is led by Glasgow Community Food Network. The FCA project aims to co-design alongside communities a kinder, fairer & more resilient food system for Glasgow.

Accessibility

The Wash House Garden is sloped with rough ground, and may be suitable for off-road wheelchair users. There is a composting toilet on site, with public accessible toilets in a nearby pub around 100m away. Please email satya.dunning@glasgowfood.net for more information or to make an access request.

Getting here:

Closest transport links are: The garden is located a 2 minute walk from bus stops serving buses 61, 240, 255 from the city centre going down Gallowgate. Carntyne train station is a 15 minute walk away. There is free on-street parking just outside the garden. Bikes can be brought in and stored in the garden.