Seeds of the future
Welcome to our gardening adventure. Let’s grow it together!
Nikolai Vavilov and the other scientists barricaded the heavy doors of the seed bank, as starving citizens and soldiers pounded on the doors and pleaded for the seeds of rice, corn, wheat, beans and potatoes the scientists were protecting. It was 1942 and a bitter cold winter of famine wrapped itself around the city of Leningrad, which is now St. Petersburg. Behind the locked doors were the culmination of Vavilov’s life’s work collecting seeds from over five continents, and his passion - to feed the world! On that frozen and desperate day, the small group of scientists held onto the knowledge that seeds saved can feed countless souls in the future, even if it meant they would lose their own lives, which most would do a short time after, due to starvation. Vavilov would die in a Russian Gulag two years later, the victim of jealousy and lies.
Why am I telling this sad and desperate story? Nikolai Vavilov and his knowledge and love of seeds, perfecting and carrying on a 12,000-year-old tradition, can be seen in many of the crops we grow today. Seed saving is a powerful action that we can all experience and enjoy. It’s rather addictive and definitely fun to practice. Aside from the fun it can also save money and create community as we share seeds and a love of the plants we grow. It’s a way to beat the few big corporations that want to control all seed stock. And if fire comes too close to home, we can have a seed box ready with these little bundles of life from the fruits, flowers and vegetables we have saved from our gardens, bringing a bit of home with us.
If you haven’t saved seeds before, not to worry, collecting bean and pea seeds after the skins turn brown and start to shrivel around the seed, will help you feel like a seed saving pro. They are some of the easiest seeds to save and grow. And, when you eventually enjoy the bounty from your saved seeds, you will rejoice that you took the time to harvest them.
A few other seeds to save
Dill, celery and parsley – Leave seeds on plant until brown and dry. Cut off a length of the yellowing stem and put seed head and stem in a paper bag – seeds will fall to the bottom of the bag.
Tomatoes – Seeds are ready when the tomatoes are at their fullest color and a bit soft. Squish or scoop out the insides of the tomatoes and put in water. Label with the name of the variety and allow it to ferment for 2 – 5 days. This allows the gel that surrounds the seeds and inhibits germination to be removed. This will also break down the coating around the seeds that can hold harmful bacteria and fungi. Check on the seeds each day and swirl the glass. The seeds are ready for cleaning after the pulp floats to the top. In a strainer, rinse the seeds after removing the pulp. Gently move the seeds around with water running over them to clean them thoroughly. Place the seeds on a paper towel to remove any excess water, then put them on a plate. Let dry for up to 3 weeks and then store in a labeled envelope in a cool or cold dry place. You can save your seeds for up to 5 years. Another seed saver I know, squishes the insides of the tomatoes onto a paper towel and puts them in a brown bag in her freezer. She has always had great luck with her tomato plants.
Artichoke – Seeds are ready after the flower is fully developed and they get a bit fuzzy.
Peppers – Seeds are ready to harvest when the peppers have reached their full color. Slice open and collect the seeds.
Cucumber – When they are past the good eating stage and beginning to yellow, set aside for a couple of weeks before harvesting the seeds.
Sunflowers – Wait until petals fall off. Cut a length of stem and let dry with the seeds facing up.
Flowers like poppies, foxgloves and columbine are especially rewarding when you collect their seeds as each pod has an abundance of seeds. The pods are ready to harvest when they turn brown.
Seed saving notes
-Don’t save seeds from hybrid varieties as they won’t produce true to type. It is best to collect seeds from traditional open-pollinated or heirloom and heritage varieties.
-Work as a steward to collect genetic diversity of seeds, avoiding a monoculture of plants.
-Select seeds from the best plants as well as the varieties that grow well in your location. We have countless microclimates here to take note of.
FIVE SEPTEMBER TASKS:
1.Check out plant sales at local nurseries to prepare for fall planting.
2.Plant California natives such as Ceanothus, Native Salvia and Penstemon, and bulbs such as daffodils, allium, Crocus Vernus, freesia, ranunculus and Muscari (grape hyacinth).
3.Divide summer bloomers.
4.Work on your list of fall chores that you would like to accomplish in your garden in preparation for the winter rains.
5.Check out wonderful organizations such as the Community Seed Exchange out of Sebastopol and the California Horticultural Society.
Final encouragement - Get out and go for a fall drive. We are blessed in Sonoma county with an abundance of autumn colors. Bring a picnic lunch and sit under a tree with a view of purple, red, yellow and orange vineyards stretching out for miles in front of you. It’s a show you won’t want to miss.
Please email your gardening thoughts and questions to Val at cab.valery@gmail.com. Together we can help each other find solutions to our gardening needs and dreams.
