Ancient Seeds – Gete Okosomin

Posted bynancyonthehomefrontPosted inGardeningTags:,
finding gete okosomin seeds

As you know we spent the month of October in Keystone, South Dakota. We met a lot of interesting people including a man named David who works with Native Americans. He had a wonderful story to tell us about a squash called Gete Okosomin.Gete okosomin

The seeds of the Gete Okosomin were discovered in 2008 during an archeological dig on a Menominee reservation near Green Bay, Wis. The seeds were found in a clay ball, used for storing seeds. These squash seeds eventually were given to Winona LaDuke, a longtime advocate for native food sovereignty. She called the squash Gete-okosomin, an Anishinaabe word that roughly translates to “really cool old squash”.  Gete okosominThe White Earth Land Recovery Project grew fifty of them, and now have seeds to share with Native communities across the North Country. Now the squash is served to elders, children, and used for ceremonies at White Earth.Gete okosominThe vines of the squash can grown to over 25 feet long and the squash themselves can grow up to three feet long and 18 pounds.

David was given some of the seeds and had to opportunity to grow them himself.

Gete okosomin
Gete okosomin

He had brought one of his squash with him to Keystone. The squash was cooked up and shared one night. This pre-Colombian squash is delicious: hints of melon, terrific texture, and abundant flesh.Gete okosomin There was plenty for all to enjoy and the seeds were dried and shared with everyone who attended the Keystone Training.Gete okosomin seedsStories of seed savers are so interesting. I love hearing how certain varieties of seeds have been saved for hundreds of years. I am so honored to have been given some of these special seeds and will grow them carefully to preserve the purity of the seeds. I have only six seeds but I can’t wait to try growing them in our Vermont garden next year.

For those that are interested there is an update to this post HERE. As well as this article which was sent to me.

508 thoughts on “Ancient Seeds – Gete Okosomin”

  2. Thank you for the article on Gete Okosomin. How exciting. My wife and I have retired to eastern Oklahoma, and live 25 miles south of the Capitol of the Cherokee Nation – Tahlequah. We love gardening, though novices. Being Cherokee, we have access to historical seeds through the Nation, and have planted historical Cherokee vegetable gardens.

    Is there a way, I can purchase some Gete Okosomin seeds grow here and share?

    Thank you,
    Pat Teague

    Like

    Reply

    1. Pat,
      As far as I know these seeds are not averrable for purchase yet. I’d be glad to keep you name and email and if I am successful ing growing some I’d be glad to share the seeds!

      Like

      Reply

      1. This is so exciting! When you are successful in growing some, I would very much appreciate the opportunity to purchase a seed or two as well!

        Thanks,
        Erik Meister

        Like

      7. I would also love to be added to the list. My husband loves seeds and would love to receive some of your precious seed to try. He eats squash almost every day and would love to have them growing in his garden. Thank you for your consideration. Most sincerely, Gwen

        Like

      11. I would love it if you shared some seeds with me please! We have an organic garden and have made baby food for our 6 month old son from all the squash we harvested.

        thank you kindly,

        Roy

        Like

      12. Roy,
        I will add your name to the list and be in touch when I harvest next summer! Hopefully I’ll have plenty of seeds!

        Like

      15. I am fascinated by this discovery! I’m also on the hunt for heirloom and native edible plants to grow in our school’s garden for the kids to eat and study – any chance of getting some of these seeds?

        Like

      16. Annette,
        I will add your name to the list and be in touch after the harvest. You won’t have seeds for this growing season!

        Like

      19. I would be thrilled to be able to grow these in Missouri. My wife and I are new Master Gardeners and wounder love to see how these would grow in Missouri. If possible, please let me know when, how, … Thank you in advance.

        Like

      20. Jesse,
        I will add your name to my ever growing list! They won’t be available until after this coming seasons harvest so you have to be patient!

        Like

      21. The story behind these seeds is fascinating! Being that my great-grandmother was native makes this even more interesting. Is there any possible way you could share a couple of your seeds from harvest with me? I would be forever grateful!

        This is all so exciting! ❤
        Susan

        Like

      22. Susan,
        Stay tuned I will be doing a post when I actually plant the squash and hopefully I will have an abundant harvest so I can share the seeds! I’ve added your name to the list!

        Like

  3. How interesting to learn the history of this squash and even better to bring home seeds to grow yourself!
    Thank you for sharing the story and photos.
    Have a great day!
    Toni

    Like

    Reply

  5. Ancient seeds found and then re-planted. Enjoy planting, harvesting, saving more seeds and then keep on sharing these seeds with others which will result in peaceful living. I feel so happy after reading this wonderful story.
    JM, IL

    Like

    Reply

      1. Bob,
        Not sure why this sounds like a Pyramid Scheme? Any extra seeds I have will be shared or bartered, I’m not selling any seeds!

        Like

  8. Thanks for the write-up! This is the first description of the taste I’ve found—now how does it compare to other squash? Any similarities to other popular gourds? What kind of melon does it evoke?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Jimmy,
      I only tried this squash once, bakes i the oven and really enjoyed the taste, sweet but not too sweet. When I harvest my own crop I will try cooking it several different ways and she my experience!

      Like

      Reply

  9. I would love information on being able to purchase some of these seeds and or if anyone has a line on someone with some. Would love to grow them and spread the seed around.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Troy,
      When I get a good harvest I would be glad to share the seeds, I don’t believe you can buy them anywhere right now.

      Like

      Reply

  10. This is really a wonderful and inspiring story. I would love to purchase some Gete Okosomin seeds, if there are some available from your crop. Thank you.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Shannon,
      I hope I have a successful harvest! I will hopefully have enough seeds for everyone interested! 🙂 I will add your name to the list.

      Like

      Reply

  11. Thank you David. I am glad that I was one of the few who attended the Keystone training and got the privilege not only to take the seed home in Africa, but I also ate a delicious product of the seeds.

    I safe home and I am trying if I can make this fantastic history into my country.

    May you be a blessing to many as it reaches out.

    Like

    Reply

  12. Hi Nancy,

    Please add me to the list too – I am an archaeologist who studies ancient agriculture through archaeological seeds, and would love to have a few for my collection.

    Many thanks!
    John

    Like

    Reply

  13. I am very interested in the Gete-okosomin seeds as well. I have friends who are restoring prairie and working with Monarch Butterfly groups and they would love to add them to their collection. Please add me to your list, too.

    Thanks!

    Like

    Reply

  15. Hello there! I’m very excited for the Gete-okosomin seeds as well and I would love to have a few. As Wisconsin is as cold (f not colder) than Ontario, I would love to have this wonderful squash for our garden. We are also starting a garden at my school next year and I would be an amazing educational tool. Here’s hoping! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Ivana,
      I won’t have any seeds to give away until after this coming years harvest! I will put your name on my list however!

      Like

      Reply

  17. Hi Nancy,
    Very interesting article. I’d love to purchase seeds too. I would like to offer them to my brother who grows organic plants and train his seeds to become more resistant by harvesting & replanting them each season on the same soil.
    He would be so happy to work with such antic seeds!!

    Thank you,

    Jérôme

    Like

    Reply

    1. Jerome,
      I will not be selling the seeds just giving them away or trading for other heirloom seeds, I have added your name to my ever growing list! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  18. Hi Nancy!
    How lucky are you to have the possibility to grow these 🙂
    If you are successful and get seeds i would be very interested to have some for my organic garden! Please add me to your list!

    Like

    Reply

  19. I’ve been following this story for a month or two (when I first heard about it) and I’m amazed, as always, at the power of life to survive! I recently heard about another set of ancient seeds that had managed to germinate after thousands of years (well, with a lot of scientific help from humans)! Blows my mind: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/150324-ancient-methuselah-date-palm-sprout-science/

    There have been a few others, but I’ll just the one link. 🙂

    Ha! And seed companies try to tell us that most seed won’t germinate after only a few years… LOL

    I realize your seed list is getting long and you may not have enough seed next year to send out, but if you happen to have any left, I would very much like to have some. I’m a transplanted (heh) Anishinaabe from Manitoba, and when I heard of the squash being grown in my hometown, I squeed like a little girl. 😀

    My Metis heart (French/Innu Cree) would be so happy to be able to grow something my ancestors may have grown or traded for. That, and saving heritage foods is a big interest for me. Our food diversity is wide, but the variety within each kind is too low.

    I have some nice heirloom varieties of various veggies (especially tomatoes, corn, melons and squash), so if you’d like a trade, let me know! 🙂 I don’t have anything really rare, but heirloom types are fading from our farms–let’s keep ’em alive! ❤ I also have some open-pollinated potato-seeds (only about 70 seeds), so if you want to try raising your own potato-varieties, this would be a fun chance.

    Cheers and thank you!

    Terrakian (yeah, that really is my name)

    Like

    Reply

    1. Terrtakian,
      I am always interested in growing heirloom seeds, it’s so important to keep them growing! I’d be glad to share seeds with you or trade for something! Let’s hope I have an abundant harvest!

      Like

      Reply

  21. I live near two nations here in New York and would be interested in some seeds to grow and share on with friends on these Nations for their Cultural and Agricultural projects.
    I’ve been working on an Indian hemp seeding project that’s coming along pretty well.

    Like

    Reply

  22. Hi Nancy – this is fascinating! What a joy to find this squash resurrected. We grow a bountiful crop of different kinds of zucchini, squashes, eggplant and tomatoes every summer – we live in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada – close to Toronto. I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to acquire some of these seeds to add to our garden! Please let us know how things go and if there’s a possibility of mailing some seeds to your neighbours up north. Thanks!

    Like

    Reply

  24. This is amazing! I’d love to be added to the list too. My husband and I finally bought our first home and now that I have a yard, I want to try growing food. This kind of thing really interests me. On a recent visit to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at UNM, I purchased some seed packets from Native Seeds/SEARCH. I’d also like to get some glass gem corn seed and try growing that.

    Like

    Reply

  25. Please add me to your growing list as I would love to try to grow these as well. I would be happy to pay for a few seeds. Thank you so much! So happy they grew for you!

    Like

    Reply

  29. I was absolutely fascinated to read about the Gete-Okosomin Squash story/history in the latest quarterly issue of the “Heirloom Gardener” by the Baker Creek Seed Company.

    We are certified organic and only grow open-pollinated public domain heirloom / heritage varieties of vegetables.

    I would be grateful and honored to be able to buy and grow some seeds of the Gete-Okosomin squash.

    Please let me know if that is possible and what the costs would be to include shipping and handling.

    Thanks so much for your kind attention and consideration

    Please add me to the wait/mail list

    Cheers,

    Ken Cook
    240 Stark Highway North
    Dunbarton, NH 03046
    603-774-7775
    kcook@gsinet.net

    Like

    Reply

    1. Ken,
      I will not be selling the seeds but rather giving them away. I have added your name to the list and hopefully I will have plenty of seeds to share next year!

      Like

      Reply

  30. I would love to be added to your list for seeds, if possible? I would love to try this ancient specimen. It looks wonderful!

    Thanks for sharing this story!

    -Weston

    Like

    Reply

  31. I also am extremely interested in purchasing some seeds from you as well. I am absolutly intrigued in the finding of the seends were discoivered 2012 and have been on the prowel for these seeds since. To bring some culture to my home and community would just be a rare treat! Please add me to your long list I would be forever gratefull!! I am becoming obsessed with this discovery!

    2563 Elgin Rd
    Moses Lake WA 98837

    Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
    Tiffany Matson

    Like

    Reply

  32. A long extinct variety came back to life. A very old novelty. It’s amazing. What kind of squash is it ? Maxima ? Moschata ?

    Like

    Reply

  33. This is a wonderful find! As a gardener and seed saver I would love to be added to your list and possibly pass seeds forward in the future 🙂

    -Rebecca

    Like

    Reply

  34. This story reminds me of the Anasazi Cave Beans I grow. They are delicious and also found in a clay bowl they say was about 1700 years old. I would love to grow this squash. Please put me on your list. Thank you.

    Like

    Reply

  35. I would also love the seeds. We have plenty of space for them. I am more concerned that we don’t have a long enough growing season. Do you have any idea about the growing requirements? Days to maturity, hardiness zones, planting times and depth? I am very curious to find out, because we would love to add them to our crop rotations and save seeds to pass along as well. We are growing in a very rich fertile organic soil here in Maine. We are working on getting our organic certification going as well.

    https://www.facebook.com/mainehomesteadproject/

    http://mainehomesteadproject.blogspot.com/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA0OZmSYgR1CmurDZQPId8A

    Like

    Reply

    1. Victoria,
      I live in Vermont and am going to do my best to grow these squash. I figure Wisconsin must also have a shorter growing season. I will start the seeds indoors and them move them outside into the garden. I am going to do my best to have an abundant harvest!

      Like

      Reply

  36. Hi. I’m a Swedish women and I just love the story abort this old seeds.

    I Will be happy, If I get the chance to buy some seeds from this sqash ,to use in my kitchengarden.!

    Please , add my to your growing list. ????

    /Ylva

    Like

    Reply

  37. Hi Nancy!

    I would be very grateful if you add my name to your very extensive list! 🙂

    Thank you for doing this and hope you have a bountiful harvest next year.

    Barry

    Like

    Reply

  40. Nancy, I would really love for the chance to grow this squash, If there are any seeds to purchase I would be honored. Good Luck.

    Like

    Reply

  44. I would also love to be added to the list! What an amazing find and fabulous opportunity to keep history alive 🙂 I would be honored to purchase some seeds up here in the North!

    Like

    Reply

      1. I would love some seeds, Please add me to your list if you can. This would be an amazing item to grow. Thank you,

        Like

  45. That is very exciting that 800 year old seeds would still be viable. It looks very similar to a pink banana squash. Do we have any idea of the exact species of this squash? I certainly would be interested in obtaining some of these seeds if possible.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Jeremy,
      I don’t have any other information on the exact species of the squash. But I will add your name to the growing list!

      Like

      Reply

  46. I read about these seeds a while back and was amazed that they were still viable. Even more amazing to me is the sharing of such a rare seed! If you would kindly share a seed or two with me, I promise to share with others!

    Like

    Reply

  48. Dear Nancy,

    I know this is an ever growing list. But could you please add me aswell.
    I promise in return, that I will share the seeds from my crop 🙂

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started