Originally published in 1987, Saving Seeds: Metaphors of Lesbian Growth, a special issue of Maize: A Lesbian Country Magazine, was first created by artist and writer Jenna Weston as a tribute to “magical female-oriented gardens.”

From her introduction: “I have found that, generally speaking, lesbian gardens are works of art. We make intricate designs with twine between sapling posts. Later, these weavings support tomato vines. Bright colored ribbons flutter from the tops of tall bean poles. Raised vegetable beds are sculpted into various graceful shapes. The winding paths are edged in pieces of broken pottery and stones we’ve found. We build altars in the centers of our gardens, and hold rituals between the onions and the lettuce.”

“I asked wimmin to send me drawings and photos and descriptions of their magical female-oriented gardens. The replies came from near and far, and make up a part of this book. The rest of the book contains poems and prose that came directly from my experiences as a gardener and a lesbian.”

This reissue reimagines the black and white stapled original in a bounty of earth tones: six different colored French Papers are risograph printed in green, brown, and orange ink. The book is hand-sewn with gradient thread. Also included is a recent interview with Jenna Weston printed as an 11x17 leaflet, reversed with a poster of one of the garden diagrams in the book.

The Alder & Frankia Efemmera Reissue series amplifies, graphically reinterprets, and recirculates historic feminist ephemera. What ideas, strategies, and tactics from the past can we borrow to bring forth a feminist future? -Publisher