To attain a bountiful harvest this rising season, efficient seed storage is essential. Observe the following tips for preserving seeds organized so that you’re able to plant as quickly because the time is true. Take cost of your backyard and set your self up for achievement!
The next is an excerpt from The Celestial Backyard by Jane Hawley Stevens. It has been tailored for the net.
My first step within the rising season is to take stock of the seeds I’ve left over from earlier years. A digital spreadsheet works effectively for this process as a result of you may add new columns or tabs for every new 12 months.
Maintaining Seeds Organized
If you happen to retailer seeds from one 12 months to the following, hold them in a cool, darkish place with low humidity. Heat, mild, and humidity can destroy viable seeds. I hold seed packets in a tightly sealed plastic bin within the coolest a part of a darkish basement. I separate them into teams: herbs, greens, root crops, and flowers.
As a result of I’ve been saving my very own seeds for a few years, I discover it worthwhile to purchase 2 × 4-inch (5 × 10 cm) manila envelopes to retailer them in. Being one of many final recyclers, it took me a very long time to surrender my penchant to retailer seeds in any random envelope at hand, however the uniformly sized packets are a lot tidier and simpler to arrange.
As soon as I’ve reviewed my stock and made an inventory of what I want to purchase, I order seeds as quickly after January first as I can, to make sure my favorites will nonetheless be in inventory.
Seed-Beginning Provides
It’s a good suggestion to collect your seed-starting provides prematurely. You will want:
- seeds
- shallow flats/trays and 2- to 4-inch (5–10 cm) pots
- covers reminiscent of a transparent plastic dome or plastic bag to carry in humidity over the tray
- watering can or hose finish with mist/breaker nozzle
- vermiculite or different mild soil medium labels (a great trick is to chop Venetian blinds into applicable sizes)
Typically talking, you’ll need to be prepared to start out seeds six to eight weeks earlier than out of doors planting time. Right here in Zone 4, I begin the earliest seeds round Valentine’s Day. These are crops that take longer to germinate and develop, in addition to these that may be transplanted outside very early when it nonetheless might freeze or frost. Vegetation on this class are perennials, parsley, and onions.
Crucifers, like broccoli and cabbage, may be sown a few weeks later, about March first. Once I calculate seed-starting instances and anticipated transplanting dates, I consider a interval of hardening off earlier than transplanting, as I clarify later on this chapter.
Since I primarily develop transplants for my very own use, not on the market in nurseries, I don’t want to provide showy transplants; I consider producing sturdy crops!
Beneficial Reads
Saving Dry vs. Moist Seeds: The Seed Sequence
8 Seed Saving Myths