Drying Seeds for Gardens

"Something I love to do is save money. I have a friend that gives me several types of squash, along with many other goodies out of is modest garden. This is one of the ways we keep the good stuff growing."
 
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Ready In:
20mins
Ingredients:
4
Serves:
1
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ingredients

  • seeds from squash
  • seeds from apple
  • seeds from pear
  • seeds, from any plant you want to grow the next season
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directions

  • The best way I have found to dry seeds that you want to grow in next years crop is to wipe them off gently with a soft towel, and place them on a brown paper bag, leaving them in a warm dry area.
  • I walk by and stir them up by hand 3 or 4 times a day--just moving them around.
  • When they are completely dry (sometimes I leave them up to 3 days on the bag.).
  • Drying time is normally around 8 hrs to prevent molding & rotting when placed in a container for storage until planting time.
  • Please note - these are from organically grown produce from people I know. They are not hybrids. I am not sure of what the result would be using seeds from unknown sources.
  • I put my seeds in a ziplock sandwich bag - just make sure to LABEL EACH BAG with DATE and WHAT TYPE of seed, if it was a SPECIAL apple - made a really great pie, instead of just listing the name - such as Red Delicious, then I add a note of what it was used for, it helps me to remember that this seed is something special I want to do again.
  • I do not wash the seeds, it seems to work better for us this way.
  • I keep all the seeds, which can turn into a very large amount.
  • I plant them all, and choose the seedlings my family will use.
  • Any seedlings left over I give away.
  • Our town has a large community center for people in need of life assistance. They offer groceries, clothing, house items, along with many other services.
  • The center is pleased to have them, and by the end of the day the seedlings are off to a new home.
  • Although we are in a large city, there are many "container gardens" everywhere. I have seen several balconies on large apartment buildings with some fine looking vegetables growing!
  • Prices seem to increase on produce each year, including the seedlings & starts.
  • I find it just as easy to have 90 seeds growing as 19.
  • Another great trick is to re-use containers from fast food. I have several that are a solid bottom with a clear plastic top.These make great little greenhouses to put in the window sills!
  • I even use the large plastic containers - trays that the family packs of meat come in from WalMart. They are GREAT for the "step 2" in growing good starter plants.
  • My family constantly teases me for the large box I fill of different sizes & styles of containers during the winter months to use the next spring!
  • I just filled in numbers on servings and time, as everyone will have different results.

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Reviews

  1. Cherry Seed will germinate this way!!! I did it!!! Even though I will not get any cherrys out of any trees I will have the blooms!!(I live in northeast flordia) Thank You Thank You.!!
     
  2. i do this too. cherry seeds cant dry out or they wont germinate you have to put them in soil in fridge .dee
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For all my friends that have known me by LadyOutlaw - I am still me ;)</p> <p>I just changed my profile name today so that I can link this with my facebook account, so hopefully all my contacts will eventually be in one place = sort of....</p> <p>My personal webpage is down for the moment, life just too hectic to keep it all going smooth at times. As soon as it is back up &amp; running I will put a link here.</p> <p>I will be trying to get some of my other family favorites posted soon, there just never seems to be enough time in the day! Life has been so great lately, my days are now filled with a super special little guy named Dominik. He puts most anything else in my days on hold with just a smile. With that much power at 2 1/2 yrs old - how I pity the ladies 20 yrs from now!</p> <p>I hope to continue bringing flavor mixtures that are new to others and bring the same level enjoyment my family has when I fix them.</p> <p>At this very moment I am going to step out onto the porch and enjoy the sudden lightening storm in 65* temps. Happy Hunting &amp; Please - Visit Again!</p> <p>** Per a few special people who have either had or heard about my homemade bread...... Read the REVIEWS that I have written - You should be able to figure out just what happens in MY kitchen!</p> <p>:)</p>
 
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