Harvest Seed!
Posted on October 12, 2010
There is so much to do – so much to harvest. This time of year is wild for us – hunting, harvesting, foraging, gathering, and seeds. Cord and I just got back from Seed School with Bill McDorman in Arizona. Man on man was it amazing. We had many awesome experiences all the way there and back. So my garden is bursting – still, even after many frosts – due to covering certain plants but mostly because seeds don’t mind waiting. And seeds are all I can see now.
Don't forget to harvest some – they are part of the magic of a plants ability to reproduce itself – so take what’s offered.
I like to use brown paper bags I can write on easily – I fold the tops over. My friend uses plastic bags and props them open if the seed/plant is still green. Often we just tip the seed-pods in and catch the seed in the bag. Be careful not to snap the dried stalk if you cut with a scissors – the seeds will fly, cut carefully and it will help.
I usually throw these bags in the corner until a snowy day just right for seed threshing. I’m too busy in the fall to do it then and late winter is the perfect time.
ability to reproduce itself – so take what’s offered. I like to use brown paper bags I can write on easily – I fold the tops over. My friend uses plastic bags and props them open if the seed/plant is still green. Often we just tip the seed-pods in and catch the seed in the bag. Be careful not to snap the dried stalk if you cut with a scissors – the seeds will fly, cut carefully and it will help. I usually throw these bags in the corner until a snowy day just right for seed threshing. I’m too busy in the fall to do it then and late winter is the perfect time.
Even if you don’t think you know how – save some seed. Marigolds are very prolific – save some – even if they reseed – you can use them to swap with. I know a lady who took 3 seeds of my cottage red marigold. She grew all 3 out and got compliments on her long-stemmed red marigolds, and now has seed for life. From 3 seeds.
It’s not just Marigold’s – try Beans or Peas or corn if you only grew one kind – something really simple. Calendula, sunflower, marigolds, zinnias, morning glories are all fun to save. California Poppy is easy as pie. When the seed pod is dry and cracking open, it is time to collect. Let the seed ripen on the plant. You can distribute some around while you collect.
I will be collecting seed of Magenta Spreen Lamb’s Quarter, Red Orach, Ruby Orach, Golden Orach, Mizuna, Beetberry, Apricot and Pink Zinnia’s, Nicotiana, Ebony Shoo-fly, Integrata de Wild lettuce, lotsa Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Potato Seed Balls, Purple, Gold and Green Pole Beans, Purple, Gold and Green Bush Beans, Peas, Spinach, French Breakfast Radish, Bronze Fennel, Basil, Sorrel, Salad Burnet, Penstemon, Columbine and Chamomile.
Seed is life- our future, our food. Learn to save seed – start now – your garden is full of earth’s generous gifts – just waiting for you to come and take them
Posted on October 12, 2010
There is so much to do – so much to harvest. This time of year is wild for us – hunting, harvesting, foraging, gathering, and seeds. Cord and I just got back from Seed School with Bill McDorman in Arizona. Man on man was it amazing. We had many awesome experiences all the way there and back. So my garden is bursting – still, even after many frosts – due to covering certain plants but mostly because seeds don’t mind waiting. And seeds are all I can see now.
Don't forget to harvest some – they are part of the magic of a plants ability to reproduce itself – so take what’s offered.
I like to use brown paper bags I can write on easily – I fold the tops over. My friend uses plastic bags and props them open if the seed/plant is still green. Often we just tip the seed-pods in and catch the seed in the bag. Be careful not to snap the dried stalk if you cut with a scissors – the seeds will fly, cut carefully and it will help.
I usually throw these bags in the corner until a snowy day just right for seed threshing. I’m too busy in the fall to do it then and late winter is the perfect time.
ability to reproduce itself – so take what’s offered. I like to use brown paper bags I can write on easily – I fold the tops over. My friend uses plastic bags and props them open if the seed/plant is still green. Often we just tip the seed-pods in and catch the seed in the bag. Be careful not to snap the dried stalk if you cut with a scissors – the seeds will fly, cut carefully and it will help. I usually throw these bags in the corner until a snowy day just right for seed threshing. I’m too busy in the fall to do it then and late winter is the perfect time.
Even if you don’t think you know how – save some seed. Marigolds are very prolific – save some – even if they reseed – you can use them to swap with. I know a lady who took 3 seeds of my cottage red marigold. She grew all 3 out and got compliments on her long-stemmed red marigolds, and now has seed for life. From 3 seeds.
It’s not just Marigold’s – try Beans or Peas or corn if you only grew one kind – something really simple. Calendula, sunflower, marigolds, zinnias, morning glories are all fun to save. California Poppy is easy as pie. When the seed pod is dry and cracking open, it is time to collect. Let the seed ripen on the plant. You can distribute some around while you collect.
I will be collecting seed of Magenta Spreen Lamb’s Quarter, Red Orach, Ruby Orach, Golden Orach, Mizuna, Beetberry, Apricot and Pink Zinnia’s, Nicotiana, Ebony Shoo-fly, Integrata de Wild lettuce, lotsa Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Potato Seed Balls, Purple, Gold and Green Pole Beans, Purple, Gold and Green Bush Beans, Peas, Spinach, French Breakfast Radish, Bronze Fennel, Basil, Sorrel, Salad Burnet, Penstemon, Columbine and Chamomile.
Seed is life- our future, our food. Learn to save seed – start now – your garden is full of earth’s generous gifts – just waiting for you to come and take them
Ebony Shoo-Fly Seedpods
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