Each Deep Time Seed Burial includes a collection of weedy, disturbance-adapted seeds harvested from the local bioregion that are known to have longevity, meaning they can stay dormant for generations and then sprout when the time is right.
NESL sees seeds with long dormancy periods as time travelers, potentially imbued with characteristics of a quieseed: “A seed that, due to social trauma, stays consciously dormant not out of oppression, but rather due to a deep intuition which senses not to seed until it finds itself in a fertile, fecund environment.” As climate zones and biocultural norms shift, what seeds will feel comfortable and welcome where and when? Who will be there to greet them when they sprout? What fecund futures might we imagine for plants that are currently under-appreciated or actively discouraged as invasive or weedy?
This event took place on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at the Price Healing Garden in Newark, NJ, thanks to Professor Alexandra Chang. Here is the curriculum guide we used for this event.
We will unearth the time capsules on April 3rd, 2045. Mark your calendar!
Species collected:
– Mountain mint (cultivated)
– Yarrow (cultivated)
– Lemon balm (cultivated)
– Aster (cultivated)
– Morning glory (self-seeded)
– Narrow leaf plantain (self-seeded)
Photo by Marisela Bolanos
Photo by Marisela Bolanos
Photo by Marisela Bolanos
