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  • From: Clansgian AT wmconnect.com
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Seed saving 101
  • Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:29:42 EST


> > Do you use
> paper bags? How do you affix the bag? Do you bend the stem or leave it
> upright?

Radishes and brassicas have seed pods (as do mustard, arugula and a great
many other things). In practice the seed pods do not shatter and lose the
seeds
readily. There's plenty of time to harvest the seeds well before the pods
come open. Check the plants going to seed daily and when the pods first
rattle,
they are well mature. Sometimes, especially with radishes and spinach, the
seeds are cushioned by a sort of cottony (spider web-like) webbing and they
won't rattle ever. Once the seed stalk has started to lose it's green color
in
earnest, you can cut the off the stalk and let it continue to dry.

So I don't put anything over the seed stalks, just cut them off when they are
mature enough and let them dry thoroughly on a tray. Then I put all the seed
stalks of one kind in a paper bag and thrash out the seeds.

It's not just a matter of not trusting the seedsmen any more. Seeds are
already getting scarce. Here locally the marts and building supplies stock
the
ususal brands of seeds and the produce stands and seed'n'feeds offer them in
bulk. Usually they stock them very early, often the week between Christmas
and
New Years. But this year on the doorstep of March, many don't have them or
don't have many of them. They say the suppliers are out or delaying. Folks
are
grabbing up the seed potatoes almost out of a panic.

James




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