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Garden Gate:  Drying Seeds  |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 12:59:56 AM
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I've never harvested seeds and dried them before. I always buy new ones every year. But this year I decided that I'm going to save some seeds from my plants. I emptied my nasturtiums out of the pot and picked the seeds off, laid them on a paper towel to dry before storing. Tonight I went to the garden and found some pole beans that have been hiding. They were huge and not good for cooking. So decided to take the seeds out of them and dry. Put them on a paper towel to dry also. Is this the right way to do it?
Handmade purses, home decor, and bath delights at www.rusticcottagecreations.com
Read my ramblings at http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 07:52:28 AM
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| Bonjour, gal pal! Hope things are cozy in the rustic cottage! I am no expert, but I have had good luck in letting the seedpods ripen as long as possible on the plant, even though the plant may look hideous at that point. Once you harvest them and they are dry, store them in a dry cool place where sunlight can't get to them. Used film canisters work great and you can stick a label on the outside with the date you harvested them. Happy harvesting! Nance |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 07:59:29 AM
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I might sugjest a paper envelope if there is a little bit of moisture left in a plastic container they might mold also the plastic vapers can damage the seed. With a paper envelope you can wright on it what plant it is, when picked, where harvested, and who harvested them. Also if you take a picture of the plant you can attach that as well. I did this when I was going to collage. I collected random sees near the art building and took photos. Then looked on the internet to find their names some I went to the botany pond and asked people thereto give me names. Sometimes a picture is the key when you are looking at a seed.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my web store www.sunshines.etsy.com my blog http://sunshinescreations.blogspot.com/ my google page http://sunshine.harbaugh.googlepages.com/home |
Edited by - sunshine on Aug 26 2006 09:09:54 AM |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 09:47:56 AM
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Nancy -- things are cozy here -- thanks for asking!!!
I was thinking of storing the seeds in envelopes after they are dry. I would write what they are but hadn't thought of the info about where they came from and who they came from. And I love the picture idea!!! I have some seeds from a couple of Farmgirl friends -- hollyhocks from Sher in KS (although I didn't get them planted this year) and hubbard squash from Aunt Jenny. The squash is doing great and every time I walk out my back door and see that plant I think of her! I would love to have my whole garden be from pass along plants and seeds. Thanks for the great advice!
Handmade purses, home decor, and bath delights at www.rusticcottagecreations.com
Read my ramblings at http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - therusticcottage on Aug 26 2006 09:49:38 AM |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 8:03:09 PM
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quote:
Tonight I went to the garden and found some pole beans that have been hiding. They were huge and not good for cooking. So decided to take the seeds out of them and dry. Put them on a paper towel to dry also. Is this the right way to do it?
Beans should be left on the plant to mature and dry, then picked and shelled.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2006 : 9:38:12 PM
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I am so glad your squash plant is doing well. I never got mine planted this year!! Shame on me. I hope the seeds I have are still good next year.. I love that kind of squash.
I have had luck with beans if I leave them on the plant. I don't know if they work the other way or not. Worth a try I guess I save seeds from flowers all the time..holly hocks and violas are both very easy. I have coneflower (echinachia..not sure i spelled that right) that I will save seeds from this year and I am hoping the sweet annie plants that were from Bridge will go to seed enough to save some too. They are growing really well! I always save sunflower seeds by hanging the whole flower when it is spent until the seeds are dry. I save some and give the rest to my chickens and goat.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 1:34:11 PM
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I'm saving some seeds for the first time this year too. I have no idea if it will be successful at not, but I have been using the instructions on http://www.seedsave.org to prepare the seeds. Then I have been storing them in empty baby food jars (from my daughter) and putting some little packages of silica gel in the jars (the packets come in various products such as purses, cameras, vitamins - I save them and reuse) to keep them dry. I plan to store them in my attached, unheated garage this winter so that any seeds that have a chilling requirement will get that fulfilled.
It should be an adventure, anyway! I am afraid all the various varieties of tomatoes I raised this year will cross and I will check a wild mix.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com, web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 5:11:00 PM
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I had thought the same thing Sunshine. That it would be really neat to have like a farmgirls friendship garden..where the gals trade seeds with each other and have tiny little "friendship garden" plots that they create.
But didn't know how to start one of thosse going or who would be interested.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2006 : 8:20:34 PM
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I would for sure be interested. I don't know if the other states are as picky as Calif.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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zilzirk
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Liz
Fort Mill
South Carolina
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2006 : 10:32:57 AM
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Hey Girls!
I would be interested in a seed exchange! I don't have an established garden yet, but will prep this fall and start a Real Large Farm Girl Garden this spring!!! :) So trading works for me. I do have TONS of hollyhock seeds from a previous garden - all colors, single, double etc. I always had goo dluck with them.
My only 'trick' to collecting seeds is just leave the spent flowers on the plant and deal with it looking ratty for awhile! Then I cut the dried stems off the plant and trim/prune at the same time. If I miss a few seeds, no worries, I just figure I let them self sow at the same time.
a city girl with farm roots |
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Lynn B
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Lynn
Derry
NH
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2006 : 06:53:47 AM
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how long do seeds stay "good" for? I bought a ton of heirloom tomatoe seeds this year and didn't use all of them...
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2006 : 08:40:23 AM
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I was thinking I needed to leave the beans on the plant! Thanks for the info. I have a few more coming on so will leave those alone until they are dry.
Handmade purses and bath delights at www.rusticcottagecreations.com Free shipping through 9/15.
Read my ramblings at http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 2:47:22 PM
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A good book on seed saving and drying is "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth. An exchange sounds like such a fun idea - I just love having plants from all over in the yard and garden...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2006 : 10:02:25 PM
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I was thinking more about the seed exchange idea. I think it is a good idea and I'm for it..I just think it would probably be better to hold off until about Feb. for this. as most areas of the country are heading into Fall type weather just around the corner.And currently there are quite a few exchanges running through the forums at the moment.
I still do want to do this when you all decide to though.I just usually start my seeds in mid February around Valentine's day when I usually start things from seed.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
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Garden Gate: Drying Seeds |
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Drying Seeds
