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How to Save SeedsHow to save seeds for self reliant gardening, so that you never have to rely on outside sources for your vegetable seeds again. Here are some tips.Just don't expect to harvest seeds from produce you have bought from the local grocery store. You must use heirloom seeds, seeds that will produce a consistent form of fruit from generation to generation. How to Save SeedsOnce you have your garden going with your heirloom seeds, watch your plants and observe which ones are doing the best. At the end of the season, weed out the plants that aren't producing as well, and save only those plants that are your top performers. You will harvest your seeds from the fruit of these plants.In his excellent book, The New Self-Sufficient Gardener  , John Seymour says that like fruit, your seed must ripen, so be sure to give your plants the extra time they need to produce ripe seed by starting them indoors and then transplanting them outside.
This is especially crucial for saving seeds if you live in a colder climate.
How to Save Seeds of Root PlantsVegetables such as beets, turnips, carrots, onions, rutabagas and parsnips are biennial plants, and you must wait until they have reached their second year before you can harvest their seeds. For saving seeds from these plants, Seymour recommends digging them out of the ground in the fall, being careful not to damage the roots and storing them in a cool place until later winter or the following spring. Then replant them.When these plants start to flower, tie plastic bags around the flowers. That way the seeds will fall into the bags rather than be carried off with the wind. How to Save Seeds of Brassica PlantsSeymour says it is more trouble than it is worth to harvest seeds from the brassica plants, such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts, because all brassicas tend to interbreed. Once this happens, you have no idea what kind of seed you will wind up with. It is far better to buy these seeds in bulk and store them properly.TomatoesSaving seeds from tomatoes are quite easy. Just label a few fruits from some of your best plants and allow them to get fully ripe. Then pick these fruits and cut them open. Wash out the seeds and set them on newspaper in a warm spot to allow them to get completely dry.CucumbersFor success in saving seeds from your cucumber plants, you must help them mate. Cucumbers have both male and female flowers. The female flowers will have miniature cucumbers behind them and the male flowers will have thin stems. Cut off the petals of the male flower to expose the stamen. Then using a clean paintbrush, gather some of the pollen and brush it onto some of the fully open female flowers. You will likely need to do this two or three days in a row to make sure the mating process has taken place.The method for saving seeds from cucumbers is the same as saving seeds from tomatoes, by waiting until the cucumbers are ripe, and then cutting them open, removing the seeds, and allowing them to fully dry. Squash, Eggplant and Bell PeppersAllow the fruit to get as fully ripe as possible, even to the point where they are about to rot, and then remove the seeds. Wash them and allow them to dry in a warm spot.LettuceFor saving seeds from lettuce, allow your best plant to go to seed. When it begins to flower, tie a plastic bag around the flower to collect the seeds.Extra Gardening Tips Comprehensive Course on Gardening! Increase the value of your home by 30%. Learn more by clicking here. A garden kneeler and seat 
makes daily weeding chores much easier by easing the strain on your lower back and knees while protecting your clothing from stain and injuries.
To protect your back, use a lifting tool 
for heavy pots and other objects.
Long-term exposure to the elements will damage your tools and shorten their use. Store your tools and other gardening supplies in a portable storage bin  .
To make yard and garden cleaning easier, use a Kangaroo Gardening Container  .
Invest in a sharpening tool 
to keep your shovel and other gardening tools sharp and easier to work with.
 Grow a successful hydroponic gardening with this helpful resource. Protect your hands from insects and other injuries by wearing good quality gardening gloves. 
More Homestead Gardening LinksThinking about gardening the organic way? Follow these simple steps first.Want to save even more money when gardening? Purchase bulk seeds for cost savings and self reliant preparation. Get an early start on your gardening by starting your seeds indoors. Here are some tips. Ready to grow your own vegetables, but you're not sure where to begin? Learn which vegetables are the easiest to grow by clicking here.  The most comprehensive gardening instruction available on the internet! Learn more. Are you thinking about putting in a garden? Follow these tips. For healthy strong plants, put in raised beds. Or avoid the digging altogether and put in these easier raised beds. For truly rich, healthy soil, learn how to make your own compost. Protect your plants and keep down weeds by mulching. Here are some mulching tips. Build up your soil, and you'll keep pests down to a minimum, but what happens if pests do attack your garden? Here are some pest control tips  100's Of Wonderfully Frugal, Eco-Friendly and Highly Resourceful Gardening Techniques. click here to learn more. Gotten into poison ivy lately. Learn how to treat that awful itch. Here's how. Do you have limited space? Consider growing your organic garden in containers. Ready to have your own container garden? Here are some tips on finding the right garden container Gardening can be much more than a hobby; it can also be a way to raise most of your food. Here's how. An good resource for raising your own food is this ebook. If you want the richest humus for your gardening, consider composting with worms  Save Thousands of Dollars a Year With This Fully Illustrated Guide. Click here to learn more. Want to have fresh greens for your salad all winter? Then build this easy, effective cold frame. Get your garden off to the right start with strong growth and an early harvest. Learn how you can germinate seeds. So why should you pursue organic gardening? Learn the benefits by clicking here. True self sufficiency means being able to produce your own excellent-quality seeds. Here's how. To save seeds, you must start with quality plants. Learn why you should purchase the seeds of heirloom plants by clicking here. Have you thought about organic gardening but don't know where to begin? Try these tips.  Have a Bountiful Organic Garden using a tiny amount of space. Learn more. As homesteaders, we primarily think about gardening to raise food, but beauty is also important. Learn the importance of cottage gardening. When planning your garden, don't forget to grow herbs. Not only do they smell nice and add flavoring to food, many also have healing qualities. Learn more. Got a bumper crop of potatoes or other root vegetables this season? Learn an economical way to store them to keep them fresh all winter by clicking here. If you want to extend your growing season, a small greenhouse might be just the ticket. Learn more. If you are thinking about adding on a lean to greenhouse, there are a few things to keep in mind. Read more. The winter months are a perfect time for planning your spring garden. Learn more. Summer garden not all you hoped it to be? Consider putting in a fall garden, but be sure to protect your plants from frosty nights. Learn how. The ins and outs of storing produce from your garden can be found by clicking here. If you had an abundant harvest of root vegetables this year, don't let them go to waste; store them using this time-proven method instead. Read more. |
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