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Great tips on homesteading, frugal living, and self reliance. |
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Saving SeedsSaving seeds is true gardening self reliance. Learn how to save seeds and you never have to rely on outside sources for your vegetables again.But 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.
Saving 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. 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.More Helpful Information On GardeningMost of us keep a homestead for the practical purposes of raising our own food, but cottage gardening can show us the importance of adding beauty to our surroundings. Here's how.A great step towards self reliance is learning to grow medicinal herbs. Learn what healing herbs you can plant in your homestead garden by clicking here. A great way to cut back on costs is by purchasing your seeds in bulk, but unless you learn how to store those seeds properly, you'll end up wasting your money. Learn tips on purchasing and storing bulk seeds by clicking here. You can get an early start on your organic gardening and save money by saving seeds and starting those seeds indoors. Here are a few tips. Are you looking for easy vegetables for beginning gardeners? Here are a list of some of the easier vegetables to grow. One of the most crucial decisions you'll make in planning a garden is the best garden location. To find the right spot for your garden, here are a few tips. By using raised beds, you'll have a spot that is easier to work with soil that warms up much faster in the spring. Here are some tips. Better still, by using Patricia Lanza's Lasagna gardening principles, you can have easier raised beds without the digging. You can get the know-how here. You won't have a productive garden unless your garden soil has sufficient nutrients. Making compost is the best way to return those nutrients back to the soil. Learn how. By mulching around your garden plants, you not only retain crucial moisture in your beds, but you also add nutrients to the soil. Here are some tips. In addition to making your own organic gardening spray, you can also control pests through the flowers you add to your garden. Here's how. Work in your garden long enough, and you're bound to cross paths with poison ivy. For help on dealing with that awful, itchy rash, click here. Do you have limited space? With container gardening you can grow a garden in a limited space, even on a balcony. Learn more. Thinking of pursuing container gardening? You'll need the right container for the type of plant you're growing. Here's how. If you're ready to pursue the self sufficient life through gardening, you'll want to read this article. Did you ever think you could compost indoors? You can through the use of vermiculture, the practice of composting with worms. learn more here. How about growing your own lettuce and other salad greens in winter? You can with the use of a cold frame. To learn how to build and use one, Click here. Are you new to gardening? Read some tips on starting a vegetable garden by clicking here. |
Build Your Own Chicken Tractor!You Can Build a Chicken Tractor Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken tractor and also provides helpful information on how to get free wood and how your chickens can pay for themselves. Click Here learn more. Search This Site: Subscribe to my free ezine! Successful Homesteading is a bi-weekly e-zine covering everything about self-reliance and the healthy, frugal life. Imagine! Great tips on organic gardening, self reliance, frugal living and frugal recipes on a regular basis and sent straight to your ebox! Click here to subscribe.
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