With its open-pollinated seeds, the LEHMANNS Bio-Saaten brand from lehmann natur makes an important contribution to preserving crop diversity in gardens and fields. To ensure that this biodiversity is preserved for the future and that the integrity of the plants is maintained, lehmann natur supports the cultivation of fruits and vegetables according to the principles of permaculture.
April 13 is Plant Appreciation Day. Honor plants? – Yes! Plants produce the oxygen that is essential to our lives, are among our most important sources of energy, and are the foundation of the food chain. The origin of the plant is the seed; therefore, both the seed and the plant are what give organic farming the completeness of its ecological value chain.
By now, around 94% of all vegetable varieties have disappeared, because conventional seeds are standardized and industrially bred according to principles of uniformity and sameness. In this process, important factors such as nutrient density, flavor, and diversity are not taken into account, since yield is the top priority—thus, seeds have become an industrial product rather than a natural one.
Lehmann natur says: Organic should start at the source. With this in mind, the new brand from the organic fruit and vegetable producer and importer focuses on seeds that are not only organic—and biodynamic whenever possible—but also open-pollinated, thereby closing the value chain for organic food. Open-pollinated means that new seeds can be harvested from the plants themselves. “We like to refer to these as ‘open-source’ varieties,” says Christina Marandi, Head of Quality Management at LEHMANNS Bio-Saaten. “The seeds you grow yourself can easily be replanted the following year. This is often not the case with commercially available conventional varieties.”
Out of respect for the plant, it is important to us that it be able to reproduce naturally. Therefore, part of lehmann natur’s holistic organic philosophy is to support the plant’s development respectfully from the very beginning. This is also a central element of permaculture. Permaculture principles address future-oriented issues such as climate change, biodiversity, resource conservation, and social responsibility. In this way, permaculture goes beyond the approaches of organic farming associations. A key focus of permaculture is promoting the diversity of plants and animals that support one another, thereby optimizing production and making a positive contribution to the climate. In a mixed-crop system, for example, plants utilize different root zones, which makes it harder for pests to spread. Hedges are also an element of permaculture. They serve as windbreaks or as refuges for a variety of beneficial organisms. A particularly important aspect of permaculture’s principles is soil protection and the building of soil fertility. The formation of humus and permanent ground cover with a variety of plants with living roots are necessary prerequisites for healthy soil biology and, consequently, soil fertility. This creates a near-natural, self-sustaining ecosystem that also provides ideal conditions for open-source seeds.
LEHMANNS organic seeds can be ordered at www.lehmann-natur.com and are also available in-store at Kaufland and dm.
Caption: Open-source or heirloom seeds can be replanted, allowing for natural propagation—that is, the production of seeds for new plants. Breeding occurs naturally and without genetic engineering, as is common with hybrid varieties.
(Image source: lehmann natur)
Caption: LEHMANNS Organic Seeds offers a wide selection of open-pollinated organic varieties, most of which are Demeter-certified.
About Lehmann Natur
Lehmann Natur GmbH is an organic fruit and vegetable producer and importer based in Meerbusch, offering a wide range of products, from imported exotic organic fruits to local produce such as salads and root vegetables. As early as 1988, we committed ourselves to the idea of enabling all consumers to enjoy sustainably grown organic fruits and vegetables, and since then we have seen ourselves as a service provider for organic agriculture. At lehmann natur, the responsible use of resources is important to us as a way to create a connection between nature and people.
Contact: Lisa Kadagies, Communications and Sustainability lehmann natur Gesellschaft zur Erzeugung und zum Vertrieb ökologischer Produkte mbH Otto-Hahn-Straße 10 40670 Meerbusch
Email: lks@lehmann-natur.com
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