Seed Saving and Self-Sown Plants

Our garden has several varieties of flowers that are self-seeding, a few herbs and one type of spinach. Just wish we had room for more, but we still get lots of enjoyment from our little garden. So, save the seed to plant later or sow the seed in a seedling spot (nursery bed), or do both.

A few rules to remember:

1. Learn to identify the self seeder seedling!

2. Don’t hoe or dig up the garden spot too early.

3. In the fall, toss the seeds in the area you want them to germinate.

4. In the spring you can move the seedlings to the beds to grow in for the season.

5. If you aren’t having any luck getting seed to germinate check to be sure you’ve started with heirloom seeds, that will produce viable seed.

6. In some cases you will need to start with fresh seed about every 3 years. Yes there are exceptions to that statement.

7. Storage: Put your seeds into a paper bag for a few days to be sure they are dry before storing. You can store them in a cool dark place in jars (plastic or glass) or in bags (paper or plastic) and they will stay viable for years. You should test seeds every year if you do plan long term storage of bulk seed.

If you are trying to decide if seed saving is for you check out the Seed Savers Exchange they have great list of 40 reasons to save seeds, on their blog. http://blog.seedsavers.org/blog/40-reasons-to-save-seeds

The ever elusive Morel Mushroom

The morel season started almost a month early this year; normally we start searching around Mother's Day. As the old saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm," or in this case picks the morels! We have been very fortunate to find them and will enjoy every bite! The dehydrator was full so we froze two cookie sheets full, saved out a few for cooking fresh and gave some to my hubby's mother. 

It has been proven incorrect about the spreading of spores through keeping them in a mesh bag, also pinching or cutting them off is incorrect, they grow from spreading their spores not roots. What they have determined is that as soon as the mushroom pops up the first breeze will spread the spores, so by the time we pick them they have already cast off most of their spores. However, we do cut them off to keep them as clean as possible.

Garden's bounty

It won't be too long before we can gather up some nice fresh vegetables from the garden. The peas are up, the lettuce and spinach are about ready to pick and I'll be starting squash plants and planting beans soon. Sure hope we don't get a late frost!

Wattle Fence ~ for supporting the Sugar Snap Peas

Wattle Fence ~ My first attempt