Sunday, September 20, 2009

Saving some Seeds Sunday

I couldn't resist adding Sunday to my title to this blog.  This lazy Sunday afternoon I decided to cut a few sunflowers and zinnia's to store for next years seed collection.  I have been collecting and reusing sunflower and perennial favorites for a few years now.  It is super easy to do and only takes up a little space in a storage area.  You can't loose out on this seed saving trick if you just do a few short steps:
1. you will have better success if you cut flowers that have began to dry out in the garden.   I cut the stems to be roughly the same length and pick off the leaves. 2. Place the cut flowers in a brown paper bag.   3. Label the bag because once they dry they will be hard to tell a part.  4. Tie the stems together and the bag closed to hang.  5. Place in a dry storage area.    When you open the bag in a few weeks you will find the seeds have fallen to the bottom of the bag.  You can do this right away or wait till it is time to plant next spring.

The collage above features today's picks loaded in the back of my garden cart.  
Oppie Kitty eagerly waits for me in the drivers seat of the golf cart as I take a few photos of todays' picks loaded in the back dump bed.   The grapes are tasting yummy this time of year so I was sure to pick a bunch for dessert tonight.  I am loving the way the macro lens captures these late summer harvest goodies. 


It was a lazy Sunday - Thanks for stopping by!

12 comments:

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Bren! I think I might try to save seeds your way. It looks easy and makes sense. Your harvest is great! I have some grapes, but they are not ripen yet. Yours look delicious! Love your cat!

Mrs. E said...

Thanks for the tips on saving seeds. I've never done that, but I just might try it this year.

kclily said...

My cats freak out in the car. Looks like Oppie Kitty is very content. Great Tutorial.

Bren Haas said...

Kclily - My kitty does freak in the car.... Oppie happens to be in the seat of my golf cart that I use to haul harvest to and from the garden.

Ms.Eleni said...

It sounds great but my gardening adventure with veggies has not turned out well.I seem to do better with just plants. Happy gardening to you

Anonymous said...

It looks to me like Oppie was the only one being lazy. That's quite a harvest!

Darla said...

It's just about seed saving time for sure...Lazy Sunday's are the best!!

Jen's Journey said...

You always have such great ideas!

As always it is a pleasure to visit your blog - so lovely to see all the amazing photos that you take!

Blessings my dear!
Soon to be momma Jen

Far Side of Fifty said...

I save a few seeds..Lupines for sure and wildflowers that escape into the parking area. Great explanation of how to do it! :)

Mary Delle LeBeau said...

I usually dry my herbs in the bags upside down. But saving seeds that way is a great idea. I'll try it.

nonizamboni said...

I always try saving seeds by just picking off the blooms and letting them sit around the house collecting dust & end up tossing them. Thank you so much for showing me how to do this!
Love that Oppie Kitty too.

Gail said...

I love alliteration! It's fun! Once the rain stops I can get to the seed. I've used your seed saving technique with good success. Oppie Kitty is a beauty!