How much do gardener spend on source every twelvemonth ? That is hard to figure out , as over the years , I have no idea how much I ’ve spend . Packets of cum can flow as high as $ 6 and as low as about $ 1 depending on what you corrupt and where you buy them . These figures are not big measure if you look at them individually , but a dollar here and a dollar there add up quickly over time . When you ’re buy seeded player you really have no idea what you are buy . You have to put a great lot of reliance in the germ sellers . Is the seed you are buy a GMO — the packages should be marked but were they ? How former is the cum ? Is the seed endeavor to grow in your arena ? All of these are good dubiousness . How you avoid having to ask these motion is simple : keep your seed .
You may be say that this is easier said than done , but is it ? Saving cum is not roquette scientific discipline , but there are some do ’s and don’ts that you need to be aware of to ensure they ’ll germinate follow planting time . There are things I ’ve study over the year , and I hope they work for you , too .
1. Start With Good Seed
Before you start save seeds you need to have healthy crop that make tone ejaculate . To get those crop that bear caliber fruit you postulate to start with a quality source . It is like ask the question , “ Which come first , the chicken or the egg ? ” All of my crops are non - treat heirloom varieties , but it does n’t stop there . Where you purchase your initial come make a difference , as not all heirloom seeds are the same . Even though the seed package may say “ heirloom ” it still may be chemically treated or castrate in some way . Always bribe your seedfrom a reputable germ producerthat specializes in heirloom varieties . There are many out there . commend , you get what you pay for .
2. Don’t Rush Seed Harvesting
The very first semen - saving mistake I made , especially with bonce , squash and pumpkin , was to reap too soon . For eating function , the smaller , young fruit are the best , but for seed yield you need to hold back . The seeds of the young fruit are not deserving save , as they ’re not matured and will not germinate . Leave a few squash rackets and pumpkins on the plant and allow them to grow . It is those huge squash that produce the most fertile seed . Allow some beans and peas to mature on the works . When the seedcase turn magnanimous , brown and hard , the seeds are ready to harvest .
3. Dry SeedsVeryWell
Dana Benner
It ’s very authoritative to let your seeds dry out exhaustively . All ejaculate derive out of the fruit wet and postulate to be dry — wet is your opposition ! Even peas and dome , which look to be dry , still postulate drying so they do n’t rot in computer storage .
To dry out my seed , I lay out a few pages from the local paper — a perfect enjoyment for those pesky sale throwaway . diffuse out the cum as best you may , and lay them on your porch or another protect domain . Do n’t leave behind the seeds alfresco to dry , as the birds make love them as much as you do . As the mess ( and yes , it will be a mess ) dries , remove the seeds and put them on a sportsmanlike sheet of newspaper and admit them to dry some more . The entire outgrowth may take up to a week , look on the humidness of your climate .
4. Store Seeds The Right Way
Once your seeds are soundly ironic , you need to put in them in a cool , ironical , dark place . I store my semen potatoes the way my mother taught me : in a good old - fashioned chocolate-brown composition cup of tea . I leave the bag undecided to provide melodic line to pass around and the handbag of potato are placed in a cool , dry , dark domain of my cellar . For the loose seeds , like squash , Cucurbita pepo , beans and pea , I habituate small , plastic storage container , like you would use in your kitchen . They have lids that snap fast and go a foresighted mode in seal out wet . They are perfect for this job , and good of all , they are cheap .
When it comes to tomato cum , I like to use plastic slide fastener - top sandwich handbag . love apple seeds are very small , and the sandwich bag make warehousing well-heeled . Plus , the travelling bag seal out wet and are clean so you’re able to see the seed . Like with the seed potatoes , you want to hive away the seed container somewhere cool , dry and dark . If you only have a few seeds , the refrigerator is the perfect situation .
5. Mark Your Containers
Always mark your container with the seed eccentric , variety and date . This is very important . First , it realise it for your to identify your stock next year at planting clip . Second , and most importantly , seed becomes unviable over time , so you ’ll need to be able to turn out out ejaculate sometime seeds . Every year , I startle byplantingthe oldest semen I have . Even at two year , some seed will still germinate but most will not . If the come does n’t acquire plants , then I discard the oldest seed and go to the next one in line . I automatically put away seed that is more than two years old .
If you make unnecessary your seed from one twelvemonth to the next , you ’ll have an endless nutrient supply . It will take a few years to build up a good blood of seeds , but think me you will get there . The most important things to remember are to mark and date your container and that moisture is not your friend .
