Semences Héritage produces several hundred varieties of rare seeds. Having taken root over the last four years, the seed business is now growing rapidly.
According to owner and Howick resident David Proulx-Mantha, growing seeds felt like a natural evolution for the farm he runs with his wife, in response to a rising demand for a significant diversity of vegetable varieties.
“I’m just passionate about it, but I see that it’s useful and that a lot of people are interested in the varieties. So, I just want to meet the demand. That’s really the ultimate goal, and then there’s also the aspect of preserving the varieties,” says Proulx-Mantha.
He is significantly increasing his production this year, with the number of seed varieties on offer going from 400 to over 1,000 distinct types.
A true diversity specialist, he rents 3.5 acres of land in Sainte-Clotilde equipped with a heated greenhouse and four unheated greenhouses to increase his seed production and quality. He produces 6,000 heirloom tomato plants, which he specializes in growing.
But why should gardeners choose locally produced seeds?
“The real advantage is having seeds that are adapted to your very specific climate. Sometimes you’ll have a more humid climate, or else your growing days will be different from one climate to another. Even from one city to another, it can sometimes be completely different. That’s the big advantage. Over the years, plants undergo micro-mutations and evolution takes place. That’s what selection is all about,” explains Proulx-Mantha.
He also sees himself as a seed keeper, offering a second life to old varieties that have been lost, or nearly lost over time.
He recounts how many varieties disappeared in the early 20th century following a decision by European governments to prohibit small-scale producers from sharing seeds. Proulx-Mantha suggests this piece of history is not well known.
“It’s only fairly recently that small-scale seed producers have been able to once again sell their seeds, at least in Europe,” he explains. In the early 1900s, there were thousands of seeds that had been preserved over time. Then, because of disease, and possibly because of commercial issues, the transfer of seeds was banned. As a result, 60 per cent or more of those seed varieties were eliminated.
“Sometimes there are accidents, and varieties manage to survive,” says Proulx-Mantha, while recounting the story of the Mémé de Beauce tomato, whose seeds were found in the wall of a house that had been abandoned for sixty years. Against all odds, some of the seeds were still viable.
One of the biggest challenges in seed production is also what sets it apart from vegetable production. It is a colossal task to maintain a minimum distance of 200 meters between certain cultivars of the same family to avoid cross-pollination and to preserve the purity of the varieties. For example, a chili pepper absolutely needs a pollinator. If there’s another type of pepper nearby, cross-pollination is possible. To avoid this, producers install nets to keep pollinating insects away, but this adds tremendously to their work. “We pollinate by hand; it’s the only way to be 100 per cent sure,” he says.
Despite the effort of pollinating each individual flower by hand, Proulx-Mantha is increasing his production and taking steps to obtain Canada Gap certification, which will allow the farm to expand into wholesale markets and sell to Maxi, Sobeys, and other outlets where they have contacts.
In the meantime, specialty seeds and a range of vegetable-based products such as pasta and hot sauces are available on the farm’s website, semenceheritage.com.