Saving Seeds

[Guest guest]

The link to this website was posted on one of the I'm a

member of (Thank you Hawk, btw - it's an awesome site!) - but I wanted

to post the specific link to saving seeds. In a world where in some

countries saving seeds is against the law** I felt it important to

share this knowledge. Anna

 

http://www.i4at.org/surv/seedtips.htm

 

Saving Seed

Be sure the seeds are perfectly dry so they don't mold. Store them in

tightly capped small bottles, in a cool place.

 

Most seeds need a " rest period " of one to several months before they

will germinate. After that, germination can be tested by soaking 10

seeds, draining them, and spreading them between layers of moist cloth.

Keep the cloth moist. Germination varies between two days and two weeks

depending on the type of seed and temperature. 

 

The percentage of germination decreases with age. Seeds of corn and

onions can be stored for two years; peas and beans for three years;

tomatoes, four years; cabbage and spinach, five years; and beets and

squash, six years.

 

Save the best seeds, from parents with the qualities you desire. The

earliest pea pods can be marked by tying a scrap of colored yarn or

similar material on the vine, a sign that says these pods should not be

picked. When the pods are completely ripe and dry, pull the vines and

hang them in a garage or shed. When the pods are brittle shell and

store the peas.

 

Mark chosen tomatoes and leave them on the vine until they are

overripe, but pick them before they spoil. Cut the tomato and remove

the seeds. Some pulp will inevitably come along. Soak the seeds and

pulp in water for about two days or until they start to ferment, but

not long enough to sprout. Separate the seeds from the pulp by rubbing,

and dry them quickly (but not in direct sun) by spreading them thinly

on newspaper.

 

Carrots, radishes, and other biennials will not produce seed until the

second year of growth. These can be left in the garden over winter

under a heavy mulch, or they can be dug and stored in damp sand in the

root cellar for spring replanting. If they will be in the way of future

tilling or succession planting, consider a separate area for seed

production. When the seed head is almost ripe, tie a paper bag over it

to collect those seeds that will otherwise fall to the ground. 

 

Onions are also biannual, but producing bulbs or sets requires yet

another year. Sow seed thickly - about a quarter of an ounce in four

square feet - so they will not get too big. When the tops fall over

pull them and store them in net bags for planting the following year.

 

**

http://www.organicconsumers.org/patent/iraq111704.cfm

http://deltafarmpress.com/mag/farming_farmers_protest_loss/

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66282,00.html