I’ve been harvesting seeds from my garden to use for next year. Seeds collected so far are: Black Cherry, Yellow Cherry and Momotaro seed.. These three pictures show the harvesting where I squished the seeds out of the tomatoes, removed the skins and poured the seeds onto multiple layers of paper towels, placed on top of a layer of newspaper and labeled.
I also harvested a lot of poppy seeds, collecting the pods in small paper bags, letting them dry out and pop open on their own. I shake the bags periodically to knock the seeds out of the pods and pick out the empty pods to throw away.
A few important details to know about collecting. Seeds are at their prime germination potential when they reach maturity on the plant, then they start declining. When storing seeds, it important to eliminate moisture and heat. Plastic bags aren’t good for storage because condensation forms from any moisture remaining in the seeds. The life of a seed is doubled for every 1 percent decrease of moisture.
Also, try to remember to label your seed collections because you will forget what you’ve collected. I speak from experience. 
Tagged as:
seed collecting,
seed harvesting,
Seeds
The parking strip is looking very messy right now and it’s driving me crazy! I want to pull out the old poppies, now way past prime and looking so messy, but I’m holding out so the flowers can go to seed.
As the seed pods have matured, I’ve been harvesting them right before they pop. I store them in a paper bag and as they pop, I collect the little seeds into a recycled pill bottle. Plastic bags aren’t good because condensation forms from any moisture remaining in the pods. Seeds are at their prime germination potential when they reach maturity on the plant, then they start declining. When storing seeds, it important to eliminate moisture and heat. The life of a seed is doubled for every 1 percent decrease of moisture. Nature can’t be rushed, but I wish she’d hurry up so I can pull out these ratty looking plants!
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harvesting seeds,
Seeds,
storing seeds
I like Botanical Interests seeds. Their seed packages are little works of art and even list the artist on the backside! The packages tell me if it’s a cool season or a warm season plant, gives a fun description and good practical growing info. I discovered some You-Tube videos about the company that I thought [...]
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Botanical Interests,
rudbeckia,
Seeds
Hello, my name is Leslie and I’m a seed-aholic. I love buying seed packets. I love the pictures on the front, whether they are photographed or painted works of art. I love the possibilities that seeds promise. I love the idea of saving money by buying seeds… (cue the ugly sound of a record player [...]
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seed packets,
seedling,
Seeds
It’s almost time to get sunflower seeds started. I usually get my seeds planted in flats about mid-March, and then transplant about mid-April, or whenever the seedlings have gotten big enough that they won’t get mowed down by snails and slugs. I am going to order from Renee’s Seeds this year and participate in the [...]
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bees,
Seeds,
sunflowers
The great thing about gardening is that there is always something just out of reach, to look forward to. I also love to exchange plants and seeds with fellow gardeners. In my opinion, it’s one of the greatest aspects about gardening. Sometimes, I’m on the hunt for something unusual but can’t find anything interesting, so [...]
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seed exchange,
Seeds
I’m a seed packet hoarder. It’s true and I make no apologies. I love the pictures of the plants on the front, I love to read all the information on the back, and I like to shake the little packages to hear the seeds shooshing around inside. I usually hit the seed racks first when [...]
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catalogs,
Seeds
San Diego County is a recognized biodiversity hotspot and home to about 2,000 native plants. Unfortunately, the county also contains more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the continental United States, most of which are plants. Read more about what the SD Zoo is doing to preserve biodiversity here: SD Zoo This [...]
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Seeds
Here’s a link to an article in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal written by George Ball, chairman of the W. Atlee Burpee & Co. and past president of the American Horticulture Society. Interesting perspective. Seeds: Nature’s Microchips
Tagged as:
Seeds,
wsj article
Got my cucumber seeds planted today, built a teepee over the area by connecting two tall trellises I found (gifts from the garbage! – my favorite). All the citrus are starting to bud so I’m hopeful for a good crop of tangerines. Ate another fresh-picked-from-the-garden salad with beet greens, spinach and lettuce. I would have [...]
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Gardening,
Seeds,
veggies
