Zines: Species specific Growing guides

Resources
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Last year a volunteer crew at Going to Seed worked on short growing guides for seed libraries to give out with seeds. Here are all the versions we made and sent out.

The are adaptation gardening specific. I think new zines we make available for coalition members should:

  • List item Include the spectrum-- for heirloom/isolation to a diverse mix.
  • Branded LSC instead of GTS.
  • Switch up some of those pages to be more relevant to what people want
  • Make these more professional looking!
  • Make half page versions of everything so people can print them at home more easily, won’t need a long arm stapler.

Quarter page size, 2 full printed pages.
I have some versions already of the short versions (1 single page double sided, and some that are half page versions. Hit me up if you’re interested in working on this project, I have an airtable page with all the custom and master versions.

(Optional) Creating your Custom File

Do this if you don’t already have one yet, or want to add new species/guides:

  • Create your own file to customize (crop specific) by going to Master Files 2nd tab.
  • Open the species of your choice. Click:

Customizing Instructions

Open Source:

  • These guides are meant to be for you to adapt to your local community! Feel free to change the fonts, photos, titles, and anything else, like artwork. Permissions will be set so that only you and our team can edit the file, but other people can copy them (and ‘comment).
  • Customize the zines with the idea that somebody might like your ideas and want to do something similar, in the same way that you can gain ideas from them. If you like somebody else’s version, in Google Slides you can ‘make a copy’ from the File menu. Then edit, print, share printed copies. And share digital copies back with us in the table (just add more lines for more species). Unless you’ve already requested the species or zines, you’ll be responsible for seeds and printing).

Help us by creating new guides for new seed saving projects, Let Julia know if you want to take something on (or anything else! julia@goingtoseed.org)

Want to participate in writing, editing, or customizing? Join us on Mondays at 5:15 pm PST on Zoom Zoom Link

You can poke around in other versions using the tabs.

Customizing Instructions:

  • Front Page: Add your seed library logo (delete the GTS logo)
  • Seed Notes Edit seed description if you are using your own seeds (and ideally cover photo)
  • Check suggested sowing dates. Are they correct for your region?
  • Add your own information to the About Page– mission, volunteer, events, seed return info.
  • You can delete content on a page (like the Microbes or Center of Origin Pages) and add more local info, for example photos.
  • Feel free to rearrange the order of pages, for example the back cover might be the seed library info page. Just click and drag in the thumbnail view.
    • You can also try to make it eight pages instead of 16, check the Seeds for Sharing page for examples.
  • The seed packet would be stapled to the seed return page.
  • Try printing and assembling one yourself and let me know if you have problems, or let me know if you have questions: julia@goingtoseed.org

How To Print:

Once you’re happy with it in Google slides,

  • Total should be exactly 16 pages

  • In File (Slides) Download as PDF

  • Go to: nashhigh.itch.io/zinearranger

    1. Upload PDF
    2. Choose Quarter page size, double sided

  • In printer settings (these may be all default)

  • Select “Long edge” binding

  • Choose “Actual size” (not “Fit to page”)

  1. If you’re in Safari- check the box ‘remove headers and footers’. Or choose a different browser.
  2. Print on standard size paper (8.5" x 11"). Thick paper or cardstock is best

Assemble the Zine

  1. Cut the printed sheet in half lengthwise, exactly in half.
  2. Stack pages, check pages 8, 9 are the back side to your fold. Check pages are in the right order.
  3. Fold all pages together down the middle on a hard surface to crease well.
  4. Secure with 2-3 staples along the fold. You will need a long arm stapler (some staplers are long enough - need to be able to reach 4.25”).

Tips:

  • Test print one page first to check margins and alignment
  • Use a bone folder or ruler edge for crisp folds
  • Staple from the outside toward the inside
3 Likes
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Thank you So so much for making all this information available, I love the open source, and editing potentials for us all, I am so excited to make some shifts and print these out for my community, I really like the Maxima Pamphlet, and the wording around pollination!

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yay! So glad you finally got access to these :slight_smile:
I think Miguel has seen your presentation, but I haven’t-- love to see, it, post it in presentations section?

1 Like
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Me too great work that went into these growing guides :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:I’m just giddy at the potential for this resource sharing!! I just got my Seed saving 101 presentation in the presentation section and my plant family info sheets in the resource section!! Look forward to any feedback!