Savin' Seeds

Old-time varieties of fruit, vegetable and flower seeds have been replaced by modern, hybrid ones. As a home gardener you can make a difference by growing heirloom seeds and helping to keep the reservoir of seeds well-stocked for future generations.
What is an heirloom seed? This describes a seed that has not been crossed with other varieties in the same species. These are not hybrids that have been created to make a superior touch skin on a tomato or a perfectly round shape. Many heirloom varieties have the names of their origins or have been named for a family member who made them available to other gardeners. Think of heirloom seeds as being a precious commodity. Pass them down from generation to generation as you would a piece of heirloom jewelry in your own family.
For years, my front yard at Greene Acres was adorned with a perky purple flower border of Periwinkles I grew from the seeds saved and passed down to me from my Pa-Pa English. You can save seeds from your own garden, if they are an heirloom variety and have not been crossed with other varieties in that species.
It is simple to do - just let a few of your plants go to seed. Harvest them by picking the sed pods. Store them in a paper sack. Once they are thoroughly dry, rub the pods between your fingers to get the seeds to loosen from their pods and package them in small envelopes. Be sure to label the envelopes with name of seed and date. You can store them in a cool, dark, dry place until next planting season, of if you wish, in your freezer.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange has a lovely catalog loaded with information on various varieties and their origins, planting information, garden tips, and heirloom seeds for sale.
Write to:
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
PO Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117
or visit their website here
Search for seed catalogs that sell open-pollinated or heirloom seeds. One seed head from a marigold can produce hundreds of seeds for next year's flower garden - much cheaper than buying new seed packets each year!
One year I bought an heirloom variety of sunflowers and morning glories. I received only 25 seeds for about $4.00. After removing the seed heads at the end of the season, I had hundreds and hundreds of seeds to beautify my garden for the next season - all at no extra cost than my time to pluck the seeds and save them. Learn to save your own seeds for next year's flower garden, and the next, and the next.

My summer flowers make me happy for months on end! See them here:
- Tags: family keepsakes Garden Heirloom Seeds
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