Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Sage, I really value your knowledge and expertise on this.  I love 
gardening, but this is a weak area for me.  Can you explain what the 
various actions actually does for germination?  I am guessing that the 
rapid temperature change from freezing to boiling cracks the seed coat, 
but the rest?  Buttermilk carrier medium for the bacteria?  Bacteria 
feed on the yeast in the buttermilk?  I have to admit that I did not 
realize that bluebonnets or lupines in general were legumes.  I would 
not have thought to inoculate them.

And Lynda, I would like some seeds from that KY coffee tree if you can 
spare a pod or two.



Sage Austin | Eureka! Design wrote:
> Some annuals can benefit from this, too. Bluebonnets are considered 
> winter annuals, but have a pretty tough seed coat. I freeze them 
> overnight, then pour boiling water over them in a colander, roll them in 
> buttermilk with legume rhizobium added, and scatter them. Works like a 
> charm!
>
> --Sage
>
> Lynda wrote:
> > Kentucky coffee tree. <g>  I know this one because someone sent me some 
> > seeds and said it would be impossible to grow them.  I stuck them in the 
> > freezer, gave them a couple of little slices and then stuck them in the 
> > ground just before the snow hit and I now have a couple of Kentucky coffee 
> > trees.

--
I am having an out-of-money experience.
EarthNSky Farm, Northwest Georgia, USA