Seed savers across Australia are supporting their communities during the coronavirus pandemic

When COVID-19 panic-buying caused a national run on commercial seedlings, a movement of backyard "seed savers" sprang into action to help — and some are now looking to establish greater stocks, in case they are needed again.

Seed savers networks exist throughout Australia and the world — and are often comprised of urban farmers, and balcony and backyard growers.

Their mission is to create a "living bank" of seeds, genetically wired to thrive in particular conditions, and to reduce the need to buy seeds at all, by preserving open-pollinated and heritage varieties that will produce identical plants year-on-year.

In contrast, commercial seedlings are typically not bred to reproduce.

When panic-buying hit the nursery sector, the Canberra Seed Savers group stepped in to fill the gap in the seed market, sharing seeds locally with those looking to become more self-sufficient.

But they soon realised they could also use their library of local seeds to help people in need.

Since the pandemic started the network has given hundreds of seedlings to vulnerable families affected by COVID-19 to help reduce food bills and share the enjoyment of growing a plant you can eat.

"For people who might not be used to growing their own food, starting from seed can be a bit daunting," Canberra Seed Savers founder Arian McVeigh said.

But for experienced seed savers, it is all in a day's work.

"For us to be able to mass produce a thousand seedlings in short order is not too difficult," Ms McVeigh said.

Ms McVeigh is now aiming to build a resource of seed stock that is owned by the local community, so that should another crisis like COVID-19 cause a shortage, the ACT will be ready.

Seed shared across Australia

This philanthropic phenomenon has not just occurred in Canberra.

Seed savers around the country have been reaching out to their communities to share seeds and seedlings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aiden Louie from northern New South Wales planted out about 2,000 seedlings for locals when the pandemic began and said his local seed bank was overwhelmed with demand too.

"We actually have multiple food, crop, seed and plant sharing sites around here already," he said.

"Things kicked into overdrive though with COVID and we saw a lot of newbies taking up gardening and getting involved."

At the same time, Elizabeth Brown in Newtown, NSW was packaging up her saved seed and to share with neighbours, via a custom-made seed rack on the front footpath.

"I've since had people come back and show me their successes, which was really lovely."

'Maybe next season they'll have a crack'

Canberra Seed Savers member and ecologist, Thea O'Loughlin, also pitched in to grow seedlings for families in need in the ACT.

"From one lettuce plant you can get thousands of seed and that's more than I would ever grow in an entire lifetime," Ms O'Loughlin said.

Ms O'Loughlin said the hope was her shared seedlings would inspire a new wave of vegetable gardeners.

"Maybe, by growing a little lettuce plant or a little kale plant that I've passed on, they'll start gaining knowledge and maybe next season they'll have a crack," she said.