Living Off the Grid - Seed Saving

Harvesting Seeds for Sustainable Living

While seed saving can be done whether you are hooked up to PUD or not, the entire process of gardening and harvesting your heirloom seeds is the kind of thing sustainable living is all about. Seed saving can be tedious work but the benefits are wonderful.

What is an Heirloom Seed?
Heirloom seeds are those handed down generation to generation. Although they are found in some seed catalogs or available for sale online, true heirloom seeds are more often passed among individuals. They are seeds that come from plants that have grown in open pollination and without human intervention.

Benefits of Seed Saving
Saving seeds can be a beneficial as well as rewarding activity. By saving seeds from your garden, you can save money on next year's garden. If you save your seeds, you won't have to buy more. Saving seeds also ensure quality. If you grow organic fruits and veggies, you know the seeds you save are organic as well.

How to Save Seeds
The basic process for preparing fruits and vegetables for seed harvesting is to separate the seeds from the flesh, rinse the seeds and then let them dry before storing them.
Last night I read an article in Sunset magazine about saving tomato seeds. Here's a quick rundown of the process they suggested:

1. Place the seeds and juice of a garden tomato in a jar.
2. Let the jar sit out for a few weeks or until there is a layer of mold on top. The viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the jar.
3. Carefully discard the top layer of mold and any seeds that didn't sink.
4. Add 1/2 cup of water to the mix and repeat the process until the seeds at the bottom are clean.

If you want to save seeds from flowers the consensus seems to be that you should let the seeds dry as long as possible while still on the plant.

 

Need More Reasons to Save Seeds? 7 Reasons to Save Garden Seeds

Tips for Storing Seeds After your seeds have dried completely they can be stored in small paper bags. Be sure to label the bags so you know which seeds are where. Some seeds, such as flower seeds, store better in sealed jars. When the seeds are packaged keep them in an area that is cool and dry. If you can, use your seeds the following year as the quality of the seeds decrease year by year.

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Flower Seeds to Plant Right Now

Many beginning gardeners want a show of beautiful colors in their yards. However, intimidation can set in once you reach the huge selection of seed packets at the retail store. This list should make your visit to the seed packet aisle a breeze.

1. Zinnia: This easy-to-grow annual (only lives for one blooming season) comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Zinnia petals also come in single, semi-double, and double. Zinnia is fast-growing (germinates within 7 days) and sun-loving. Its cheerful look will brighten up any flower bed and container. Try the smaller "Thumbelina Mix" in the front of your flower beds. The tall "California Giant" will add interest in the back. Flowers come in red, yellow, pink, orange, and even green and purple. The "Envy" variety is a cool lime green. Zinnia also come in mixed colors, such as the "Peppermint Stick Mix" and "Queen Red Lime." For a fluffier texture, try the "Cactus Mix."

2. Cosmos: This is another fast-growing and easy-to-grow annual that loves full sun. Cosmos germinates within 7 days. This plant gives a light and airy feel to gardens. They have feathery foliage and flowers that are available in pastel shades to scarlet hues. Cosmos can grow up to 4 feet tall. For a unique look, try the "Seashells Mix."

3. Marigolds: This annual comes in the warm colors of yellow, orange, and red and orange. A cream-colored types also exist. The French and African varieties are very popular, but no matter what you choose, these pest-repelling flowers will bloom all spring and summer. Marigolds look great in flower beds and containers. The seeds germinate within 14 days.

4. Dianthus: Anything in the Dianthus family is very easy to grow, including the Carnation, Sweet William, and Pinks. Whether you choose an annual or a perennial (lives for several blooming seasons) will bloom repeatedly, especially when dead flowers are pinched off regularly. Depending on the variety, germination can take anywhere between 5 days and 3 weeks. Dianthus come in white, as well as shades of pink, from a light baby pink to deep hues of magenta. Many also come in a combination of white and pink or white and magenta. Petals are described as single or double, depending on the variety of dianthus.

5. Sunflowers: Nothing represents summertime quite like the beloved Sunflower. If well-cared for, these hardy plants bloom into Fall. Although there are many types of Sunflowers, you can pretty much choose any one and it will be easy to grow. The "Mammoth" will take a long time to reach its 12-foot height, but its massive flower will be worth it. For a more distinctive look, try the "Teddy Bear" variety. It's fluffy flower head will make you smile. Whether you choose an annual or perennial type, most varieties will germinate within two weeks, but they may not bloom or reach their full height for several weeks.

Other seeds for first-time gardeners to try growing are Impatiens (great for shady areas), Columbine, Daisies, Nasturtiums, and Sweet Peas.

Always read the information on the seed packet, and plant according to instructions. Keep in mind the amount of shade or sun your garden or container offers. Look at the amount of watering and maintenance the plant needs, and compare it to the amount of time and effort you are willing to commit to gardening. Growing plants from seed is a rewarding experience. When those flowers start to bud and bloom, the work you put in will be worth it!

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Growing Plants from American Seed: A Review

As a frugal gardener, I plant the majority of my flowers and veggies from seed. Extra work and extra time goes into this process, but I find it to be worthwhile. While many gardeners who grow from seed choose the high priced, open pollinated seeds from Burpee or Martha Stewart, I often grow the less expensive brand from American Seed.
After years of growing from all kinds of seeds, I find there is not much difference in the final product. As long as the seeds germinate, they are viable and the success of growth will be determined largely by outside factors such as sunlight, the correct amount of water and nutrition. I've compared the final results on several flowers and vegetables and have not seen a notable difference. American Seeds are organic and open-pollinated, no chemicals or GMO's to worry about.

American Seed, though used as the name on the packets, is not the manufacturer of these seeds. This information is displayed on the American Seed website, here. American seeds are distributed by Plantation Products, the same company that handles the seed brand of Ferry-Morse.

Finished Product Results
I've grown Swiss chard, a variety of mustard mixes, onions, radishes and several other veggies from a range of these seed brands and not seen a large difference in the size, quality or yield. American Seed flower seeds do well. The difference is in the price.

Prices for American Seed Packets
In the past I've paid one dollar for 3 or 4 packs with American Seed, as opposed to one dollar and eighty-nine cents to two dollar and twenty-nine cents for the Burpee brand. The Plantation Products website says the seed is purchased from the same sources as other brands. Information there indicates that 59 cents per pack is the standard price this year for many seeds. Varieties not offered in the 59 cents line are often available for 99 cents per packet.

American Seed packets are sometimes sold for 10 cents per pack, according to their site. Large boxes of wildflower mixes sell for two to three dollars. They're available at Walgreens, Dollar General store and various other outlet stores.

Plantation Products handles other brands besides American Seed and Ferry Morse. They distribute the Jiffy line of peat pots, fiber pots and plastic starter cell packs with humidity domes. Jiffy also carries seed starter pellets, and germination and potting mixes. Other brands offered by the company are NK Lawn and Garden and the Mckenzie Organic and Heritage Seed packet lines in Canada.

Give them a try in your seedbeds and take note of the results. You may find growing from American Seed is another alternative to saving money in the garden.

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7 Reasons to Save Garden Seeds

You can save money, grow better vegetables, be more self-sustaining and eco-friendly when you save seeds from your own garden. Saving garden seeds is nothing new, but it's a new concept to many novice gardens that I advise. Big box garden supply centers and even the local dollar stores have made purchasing new seeds each year easy enough, but there's still good reason to save garden seeds, 7 reasons as a matter-of-fact.

Save Money
Buy once, plant for decades. One seed purchase could potentially be an investment that will last for centuries if you also raise future gardeners in your blood line. The seed price of an expensive plant variety is easily justified when you consider how much money you will be saving by saving the seeds at the end of each growing season and re-planting them in succeeding years.

No Seed Shortage
When you save your own garden seeds, you're not at the mercy of the seed industry which may decide to discontinue your favorite tomato or squash variety. You won't have to worry about a pest infestation at holding sites that could limit the amount of specific seeds available from the seed industry either. Save your own garden seeds and you'll have what you want in the amount you need.

Plant Adaptation
When you save seeds from plants that have been grown in your region, in your own garden, you know the plant has already adapted to your region. The seed industry chooses to sell seeds that are adapted to growing in most all regions, not specifically yours. That's understandable from the money-making standpoint of a business, but for a home gardener like myself, I want seeds and plants that will grow best in my southern climate.

Quality Control
When you save your own garden seeds, you can select them off the best producing plants in your garden. The seed industry harvests seeds from inferior plants as well as premium plants and mixes them together for a hit-or-miss garden for home-growers.

Crop Traits
By saving your own seeds, you can select the seeds only from the plants that offered something special; the biggest squash, sweetest tomatoes, hottest pepper or odd-shaped eggplant and use those seeds from unique plants to influence crop traits in future gardens.

Heirlooms
Unlike modern hybrids varieties, heirloom varieties are not bred for their high yield and long shelf life, but rather for their flavor. Explore growing heirloom vegetable varieties and save seeds to keep modern gardening connected to the gardening times of our ancestors.

Have Fun
Saving garden seeds is a fun way to introduce young children to the joys of gardening. Grow, harvest and dry flower and vegetable seeds with kids this season, then plant the seeds next growing season with those kids so they can observe the circle of life and have fun doing so.
Next Article: Time to Plan Your Spring Garden

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Spring is Almost Here, Time to Get Out the Gardening Catalogs

Every year it seems like it is time to replant and decide if we are going to have a produce garden or not and if we are going to keep the flower garden the same or not. There are those of you who live in big cities and apartments and you are saying oh I wish I had the room to garden. Good news, you can, just not on as big a scale as urban and country folk.

For those who have limited space

There are potting gardens and these gardens can be any size you want. You can even grow vegetables in flower pots. The vegetables that grow the best in flower pots are tomatoes, beans, herbs, carrots and other small vegetables. I would not try to grow corn; however I am not saying you cannot try. There are even dwarf fruit trees that do very well in pots. Dwarf fruit trees such as; banana, oranges, apples and even pomegranate. These dwarf trees grow from four to eight feet in height which make them ideal for patio or balcony. They need to be able to be moved inside in the colder regions.

Flower pot gardens can be planted in any size pots, but care must be given to the size and number of planes to be grown in the pot. Potted gardens are only limited to the imagination. There are water gardens, hanging gardens, even "fairy" gardens and terrariums.

Planting full size gardens

When deciding what to plant in a flower garden, it is best to use a catalog so you can see what the flowers will look like; however, you will want to compare prices. For example; a four foot by six foot butterfly/hummingbird garden with 29 plants sold as a planned garden can costs $32.99 plus $12.95 shipping; whereas you can buy the plants individually from the same company with a savings of about $5.00; here how it works. The garden plan with 29 plants works out to be $1.14/per plant. That sounds like a really good deal. Now let us look at the real price of each plant:

• · 1 Rainbow Butterfly bush $3.99

• · 1 Orange trumpet vine 3.99

• · 10 Hardy Perennial lilies 10/6.49

• · 1 Ever-blooming coneflower 2.99

• · 10 Blazing star lilies 10/2.99

• · 3 Blue columbine 3/2.99

• · 3 Dwarf Daylilies 3/5.99

Total: $29.43

These same plants bought individually works out to cost $1.01/per plant. Because the total is under $30.01, shipping is only $10.95. Therefore that is another saving of $2.00. It is very important to check out what is a better deal. Would these same plants, be cheaper at the local garden center? I am not sure. You would have to shop around to see which is the better value. These figures came from the Michigan Bulb catalog spring 2014.

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Can I Start Vegetable Plants in My House?

Tips for Starting Vegetables in a Sunny Living Room Window

When you live in an area with a short growing season, starting seedlings indoors is a great way to jump start the garden. Summer vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, beans and cucumbers can be started indoors up to 8 weeks before the start of the summer gardening season which means that you could be enjoying fresh produce as early as July.

While many gardeners start their seeds using a cold frame or greenhouse, it is also possible to start your vegetable seedlings indoors in a sunny living room or bedroom window. This is the method I used for many years before finally getting a green house. I found that a window that gets at least 5-6 hours of sunlight a day is a perfect location for jump starting a garden.

All seeds need is warmth, sunlight and moisture to start the germination process which can take anywhere from three days to a couple of weeks. Quick sprouting vegetables include favorites such as tomatoes, squashes, beans, peas, and cukes which often poke through the ground in 4 days or less. Vegetables that take longer to sprout include herbs and peppers which is why these are often the first plants that I'll start indoors.

Once these vegetables sprout however, they can only remain in the window for a few more weeks or until they reach a height of about 1-2 inches. After that, the starts must be moved outdoors during the daylight hours or place beneath a grow lamp. This prevents the spindly, tilted growth that will happen to all plants which are trying to grow in insufficient light.

On sunny days where the temperatures are nice, seedlings can be moved outside in an area of filtered light. They should be started off with just a couple of hours of sunlight a day in the beginning, with the time gradually increased until they are outdoors all day. (This is known as "hardening" them off.) On the days the temps are below 38 degrees, the plants should stay indoors or can go into a solar greenhouse where they still can benefit from natural lighting without the risk of freezing.

Bringing your vegetable plants outdoors as early as possible not only prevents spindly growth, it's a good way to get them acclimated to the weather. This way they will be ready to go into the ground after the last spring frost.

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Five Tips to Start Off Your Spring Gardening

The snow has not started to melt yet, but your mind is already thinking of spring. Many dream of the crisp air, the blue skies and flowers in bloom all around. Whether you consider yourself a gardening aficionado or a landscaping master, here are a few tips to kick off the gardening season in full swing.

The soil is still very wet? Don't start planting just yet. It may be tempting to start planting once the snow on the ground has melted, but it may not be the greatest idea. It is best to wait until the soil is moderately dry to start gardening. The soil should be moist but crumble in your hands when trying to make a ball with it. If you want to start even when the soil is a bit wet, try using raised beds.

Start your seedlings indoors. For those living in colder weather, it is a good idea to start seedlings indoors and then transplant them into the garden once they have grown and are strong. One should try to ease the plants when moving them outdoors by taking the pots outside and setting them in a sunny place a few hours at a time, until it is time to transplant them into the ground.

Rotate your crops. Rotate vegetable crops every year to avoid depleting the soil from nutrients and prevent disease. In general, one should stay away from planting the same group of vegetables in the same area year after year. Different vegetables need different nutrients and rotating what you plant will allow the soil to replenish and regain nutrient balance. Likewise, some families of vegetables attract certain types of diseases into the soil, by rotating them you will avoid creating a chronic problem.

Don't waste your breakfast, use it as fertilizer. Coffee grounds and eggshells are great as fertilizers. Coffee contains nitrogen, which helps with plant growth. Just keep the leftover grounds from your morning coffee in a container and once you have a good amount, add them directly to the soil. Eggshells contain calcium, a nutrient needed to avoid deformed blooms. You can add the whole shells or grind them in a food processor and add them directly to the soil

Water your plants with chamomile tea and cooking water. Once you are done cooking pasta or vegetables, it is a good idea to use the leftover water to water your plants. It contains remnants of minerals and vitamins that can be helpful to your garden. On the other hand, chamomile tea can be very effective in preventing fungal and bacterial infections that are common in plants during the spring; just make sure that you cool down the water or tea before watering your garden.

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden." - Thomas Jefferson

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Time to Plan Your Spring Garden

No matter where you live, you are probably not thinking about your spring garden, but you should be. Seed companies send out their new spring seed catalogs December into January. Why should you buy now? There are a number of reasons you should order early. What kind of seeds should you buy? That depends on what you are looking for.

Seeds are in Limited Supply

The current economy has encouraged people to grow their own food. That is a good thing. However, there are limited resources for seed growing, and many varieties sell out fast. If you want the best selection, it's best to order seeds early.

Seed Catalogs have more Varieties

Even if you could find seeds in the stores right now, chances are they are either last year's seeds or are varieties not necessarily suited to your climate. Seed company catalogs have a much wider selection of vegetables, and it pays to be picky. Your local Cooperative Extension Service will have a list of what varieties do best in your climate. If you have a local gardening club, they can help too.

One thing to be aware of is newly developed cultivars tend to be very expensive. If you just have to try that new melon, that's fine. Just remember the tried and true are often a better buy. Not only are they less expensive per packet, but there are usually a larger quantity of seeds inside. Once you find a variety that does quite well for you, sometimes it's best to stick with what works.

Should you go with Organic Seeds?

An organic garden is always preferable to using chemical pesticides and herbicides. What about organic seeds?

The difference between organic and non-organic seed is organic seeds are not treated with chemicals. Treated seeds have a better germination rate because of anti-fungal and other disease prevention coatings. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seeds are altered genetically. Whether or not GMO seeds are dangerous is unknown, but treated seeds can be. If you want a truly organic garden, buy organic seeds. Just be prepared for a lower germination rate.

Plants or Seeds?

If you are trying to decide if it is worth it to start your garden indoors, the answer is maybe. If you have a very small garden, it is probably not worth starting six tomato plants. However, if you are planning a large garden, starting your plants indoors is by far cheaper. Plus, you get the bonus of picking exactly which tomato varieties you want, and do not have to rely on the nursery having what you are looking for.

While post-holiday blues strike many people, what better way to bypass those feelings by opening up a garden catalog and dream about your garden? Get those seeds ordered early so you are ready when planting weather arrives. 

While post-holiday blues strike many people, what better way to bypass those feelings by opening up a garden catalog and plan your garden? Get those seeds ordered early so you are ready when planting weather arrives.

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