Storing seeds is a simple process.
Most varieties will keep easily for the next growing seasons. (Some exceptions: onions, parsley, and lettuces do not generally maintain their germination and are best purchased fresh each year.) Never leave leftover seed packets outside in the garden or garage or in an unheated outdoor shed, because high humidity and dampness will ruin them. A sealed mason jar or freezer bag is an ideal storage container. Keep seeds dry and in the coolest room you have. When planning next years crops work in the seeds you have saved.


High Temperature:
Actual: 21°C feels 35°C partly sunny Wind SE14km/h P.O.P.4%
Average: 26°C
Record: 36°C in 1947

Low Temperature:
Actual: 13°C mainly cloudy Wind S11km/h P.O.P.2%
Average: 14°C
Record: 7°C in 1941

I removed Jack in the pulpit seeds put into the fridge back in October. Put them into a soil mixture for seeds and set them under lights. I will check in a couple of weeks to see how they are doing.

High Temperature:
Actual: -14°C cloudy flurries Wind NNW35km/h P.O.P.50%
Average: -1°C
Record: 14°C in 2004

Low Temperature:
Actual: -22°C cloudy flurries 1.30cm Wind NNW37km/h P.O.P.44%
Average: -9°C
Record: -26°C in 1981

I collected a few seeds and prepped some of the potted plants for the winter months from the home garden. Jack in the pulpit, datura/brugmansia, lettuce, and coleus cuttings.

Not sure what the plant with the spiky seedpods is called???
If the flowers point down it is Brugmansia, and if they point up it is Datura. Datura is also known as jimson weed and has hallucinogenic properties.

hyemalis: of the winter; winter blooming

High Temperature:
Actual: 9°C sun and cloud Wind W25km/h P.O.P.14%
Average: 16°C
Record: 31°C in 1951

Low Temperature:
Actual: 2°C mainly cloudy Wind WNW17km/h P.O.P.21%
Average: 6°C
Record: -4°C in 1965

Arisaema triphyllum ~~ Jack in the Pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is an interesting wildflower native to eastern and midwestern North America, but, easily adapts to shade gardens elsewhere. Its common name comes from its odd flower: a pouch-shaped spathe ("pulpit") with an overhanging hood that surrounds a fingerlike central spadix ("Jack").

This flower produces one to two 3-lobed leaves 12 to 18 inches high that appear in early spring along with the flower. Blooms are composed of a green-and-purple striped spathe bent over at its tip that partially hides the green clublike spadix. When bloom fades, a cluster of bright red berries appears and lasts for a good portion of the summer. Leaves fade away in midsummer if plant is not watered regularly but grow back in spring from an underground tuber.

Now is the perfect time to collect the seeds from these beautiful native plants.

















The berries are bright red and the skin very soft. Mother nature has provided the perfect package and unwrapping it holds the gift of seeds inside for future generations of plants.


Remove seeds by squeezing the berry into a jar,filled with a little water ~~there is alot of juice~~ I found this an easy way to clean the seeds with less mess. You will find between 2 and 4 seeds (sometimes more) in each seed pouch.

You have two choices, plant them directly outside making sure to plant them under the same conditions they were already growing in. Partial shade with moist soil and place the seed about 1/2 inch deep. These will germinate in the spring. Or give them a start indoors. When growing them inside you must give them a cold period in order to germinate. To simulate this action, place your seed in damp sand, sphagnum moss or vermiculite in a plastic bag and place bag in fridge. After 2 to 3 months remove seed from fridge and plant in seed trays. In spring place the seedlings in a suitable location outside.

These seeds are from my own garden and I do not advocate taking from the wild. Purchase Jack in the Pulpit from a reputable vendor.

High Temperature:
Actual: 8°C mostly cloudy rain 1mm Wind WSW17km/h P.O.P.24%
Average: 17°C
Record: 27°C in 1951

Low Temperature:
Actual: 1°C mostly cloudy Wind W20km/h P.O.P.56%
Average: 6°C
Record: -3°C in 1974

I have saved several seeds from some small lemons and decided to try growing one or two. Here's how its done:

Get your seed from grapefruit/oranges/lemons/limes whatever it is you wish to grow and soak in water overnight.
Grapefruit is easiest, followed by oranges and then lemons.

Fill small pots with moistened potting soil. With your finger or pencil, make holes about 1" (2.5cm) deep in soil, drop seed into each and gently firm soil over them.

Water well, cover pots with clear plastic bags/empty 2L plastic pop bottle and set in warm bright spot. Avoid direct sun. When seeds germinate, take cap off top or open bags for a few hours a day to acclimate.

After 3 or 4 days remove cover. Indoors citrus plants need lots of sun, with temps around 21deg C, generous humidity (especially in winter) and regular feeding and watering.

High Temperature:
Actual: 10°C cloudy windy rain 2.3mm WInd NW28m/h P.O.P.40%
Average: 18°C
Record: 27°C in 1952

Low Temperature:
Actual: 3°C cloudy Wind NNW25km/h P.O.P.50%
Average: 7°C
Record: -1°C in 1942

A question was asked about Jumbo Sweet Pea seeds and when to plant seed that says "Sow outdoors as soon as the ground can be worked." Many perennial, annual and vegetable packets make this statement. The broad sweeping rule is to plant when you can get into the dirt up to knees.

Due to our unpredictable weather I would advise starting indoors , sow seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost date. (May 9)

The seeds have a hard covering, but you can speed up and increase germination by nicking (called scarify) this shell carefully with a nail clipper.

Sow seeds in pots filled with a seed-starting mix. Put two or three seeds per pot and push each an inch down into the potting mix. Cover with mix, water, and put pots in a cool, dark place.

You should see germination after approx. 10 days, keep an eye out for new shoots emerging above the soil. At that point, set seedlings into bright light. Keep them in a cool place below 55°F (12ºC). If they are coddled in a warm room, they won't be tough enough to transplant outdoors without a lengthy hardening off period. When seedlings have two sets of real leaves, thin to one plant per pot.

Transplant into the garden about a month before the last frost date, as soon as the soil is workable - the shoots are tough and won't be bothered by light frost. Space them six inches apart for climbing varieties, and 12 inches apart for dwarf bushy types.

Some Tips
Plant seeds in holes that are about two inches deep. Space holes about four to six inches apart and sow two to four seeds per hole.

Water thoroughly and keep soil moist until seeds have sprouted. You should see germination in about 10 to 21 days.

Once the seedlings are growing, water regularly to promote good growth. When the seedlings are three to four inches high, thin them out, and leave the most vigorous-looking plants growing four to six inches apart.

Once you have thinned, mulch around the plants with a four- to six-inch layer of organic mulch to keep the roots cool and the soil moist.


Day -7 sun and cloud Wind WNW24km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -17 clear to partly cloudy Wind NNW11km/h P.O.P.0%

Today I started some seeds of allium schoenoprasum, and patio temptation. It will be at least a month for the temptation to germinate.

I have found the commercial soil mixes to be a little heavy and in the past have not had much luck with germination so I tried my own mix using purchased cactus soil mix and adding perlite to lighten the mix. 2 part cactus mix to 1 part perlite.
I fill my pots, plant the seeds, cover lightly, water and wait.
I have also tried a mix of potting soil, perlite and peat moss. This mix is a little lighter and has varied results depending on the seed planted.

So far, I have had great success with all seeds planted.

Day -11 mostly cloudy flurries Wind WSW20km/h P.O.P.40%
Night -15 mostly cloudy Wind WSW22km/h P.O.P.39%

One day makes a difference.

The seeds have now dropped to

the bottom.

After removing the fermentation

and cleaning the seeds they are

ready to spread out for drying.

The seeds are now spread out for

drying and in a few days will be

ready for storing until spring.

Day +10 mainly cloudy with showers 8.1mm Winds SW17km/h P.O.P.40%
Night -3 partly cloudy Winds SW11km/h P.O.P.20%

This is what the seeds look like after 3 days of fermenting. I will wait another day before I get ready for the next phase. The seeds have started seperating from the gel casing and are starting to float to the surface.

I am attempting to save some tomatoe seed this year and this is the process I am following:

First select the most appealing

fruit.

This should supply you with a

good crop for next year.

Next, we remove seed and

place in a clean container.

Preferably, (they say)

glass so you can watch
the seeds for any

problems.

Cover with paper towel

and hold in place with

elastic band. This will

help impede odour and

keep fruit flies out.

Place these in a warm

out of the way location.

Now we wait 2-4 days for fermentation. Fermentation can be quite smelly. It is suggested that you keep the containers in a place that you will not pass too often.

The crop this year was bountiful and after the volunteers took what they wanted the soup kitchen will reap the crop overflow.




Saving seeds from your "Three Sisters" garden to replant next year is a cheap alternative to buying new and brings the planting experience full circle. You save seeds to replant or package and give to other gardeners and friends.
Here are some tips on gathering and preserving seeds:

Corn
Leave several ears on the stalk until husks dry and turn brown.
Remove and peel back husks and hang them to dry, out of direct sun, for a month. Once dry, remove individual kernels. Store kernels in an airtight container.
(Note: If you save and replant seed from hybrid corn, plants will not be true to the parents)

Beans
Leave several pods on a plant until they turn brown and brittle. Break open pods and remove seeds. Leave them on a flat surface or screen, out of direct sun, to air dry for a few days. Place in airtight, dark container protected from extreme heat and cold.

Squash
Scoop out seeds and rinse with water in a colander. Leave them on a flat surface or screen, out of direct sun, to air dry for a few days. Place in airtight, dark container protected from extreme heat and cold.