Seeds of Solidarity: Growing Hope Together

GardencampaignFood JusticePalestine

Aug 19

Written By Shadia Qubti

Plant Palestinian Seeds, Preserve What Cannot Be Demolished

Our church has dedicated a section of our garden to become more than a place of growth—it's become a space of urgent solidarity. By planting seeds from Palestine, including varieties preserved by the Palestinian Seed Bank, we're participating in an ancient tradition of seed-saving that faces unprecedented threats.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

On July 31, 2025, Israeli military forces demolished one of the two propagation units of the Palestinian National Seed Bank in Hebron. Bulldozers destroyed not just a building, but irrigation systems, research equipment, and irreplaceable agricultural documents. The facility that provided free seeds to over 500 Palestinian farmers—seeds representing 80 traditional varieties adapted over thousands of years to local conditions—was reduced to rubble in a single morning.

Seeds carry stories that transcend borders and politics. They hold within them not just the potential for life, but the wisdom of generations who have carefully selected, saved, and shared them. Palestinian farmers have been guardians of heirloom varieties for millennia—crops that represent living cultural heritage, biodiversity, and food sovereignty.

When seed banks face destruction, we lose more than plants. We lose genetic diversity crucial for climate resilience, we lose food security for vulnerable communities, and we lose the living connection between people and their ancestral land. But seeds planted in solidarity gardens around the world become acts of preservation that no bulldozer can reach.

Join Our Growing Movement - We Are All Responsible

We are all responsible for preserving what cannot be demolished. We invite you to dedicate a section of your growing space—however small—to Palestinian varieties as an act of shared responsibility.

Getting Started:

Gardens: Reserve a dedicated plot, container section, or raised bed of any size
Balconies & Patios: Designate containers, window boxes, or part of your growing area
Indoor Spaces: Set aside windowsill space or use grow lights for a dedicated section
Community Spaces: Create designated areas at workplaces, schools, or shared gardens
Source seeds through ethical suppliers and organizations supporting Palestinian agriculture
Document your growth journey and share with our community
Learn about the varieties you're growing and their cultural significance

What You Can Grow:

For Outdoor Gardens & Large Containers:

Heirloom tomatoes and peppers like those destroyed in the July demolition
Ancient grains and drought-resistant legumes
Larger herb varieties and aromatic plants

For Balconies, Patios & Medium Containers:

Traditional eggplants and cucumbers in large pots
Climbing varieties of beans and peas
Mediterranean herbs in container gardens
Small fruit varieties adapted to containers

For Windowsills & Indoor Growing:

Za'atar herb components (wild thyme, sumac, sesame)
Traditional cooking herbs: mint, parsley, sage, dill
Small pepper varieties perfect for sunny windows
Microgreens and sprouts from ancient grain varieties
Indoor herb gardens using grow lights for year-round cultivation

For Any Space:

Seeds sourced through Palestinian agricultural organizations
Plants that connect you to this living heritage regardless of your growing limitations

More Than Gardening: An Act of Preservation

This campaign is about:

Urgent Preservation: Protecting agricultural biodiversity that faces deliberate destruction
Food Sovereignty: Supporting communities' right to control their food systems
Cultural Heritage: Preserving varieties that carry thousands of years of adaptation and tradition
Resistance Through Growth: Demonstrating that life and culture persist despite attempts at erasure
Global Solidarity: Creating networks of preservation that transcend borders

Resources and Support

Learn More: