Photo by L.A. Jackson
Ambitious are giddy springtime gardeners who sail through racks of seed packs at local nurseries, plucking with gleeful abandon the many, many vegetable and ornamental selections that will turn their backyards into showcases rivaling the National Arboretum.
Actual is the fact that many of those seed packs aren’t completely used, if at all, because there just wasn’t enough space in the garden, or—a common occurrence—they were simply tucked away in a “safe” place and forgotten. Now they sit; it’s late in the growing season—and winter is coming.
So, toss the seeds away, right? Well, since you paid good money for these plants-in-waiting, why not just save them for next year’s garden?
Although their germination rates will probably drop just a bit, many store-bought seeds can be saved for at least another growing season. Such seeds from heirloom varieties or species selections will even normally sprout true to original form a few years after being bought.
The same can’t necessarily be said for seed packs of hybrid plants. After a year in storage, these kinds of seeds could possibly produce “as advertised” plants, but their original genetic structure does begin to break down, weakening the ability to reliably produce progeny that performs as well as the momma plant. However, if the mad scientist in you is itching to see what they could possibly become, save ’em and find out next spring.
To save seeds, you first need a proper storage area. It should be fairly dark and constantly cold (around 35 to 40 degrees). Where can you find such a place? Look no further than your refrigerator!
To block moisture—a sure killer of seeds in storage—put the leftover packs in an airtight jar or plastic bag. Also, include a small napkin with two tablespoons of a moisture-absorbent material such as powdered milk, corn starch or silica gel to help keep the seeds dry. Finally, write “Sleeping Seeds! Not a Midnight Snack!” on the outside of the container to keep family members from fiddling with it.
Come next spring, break out the leftovers and sow them at a slightly thicker rate next to the pots, rows or beds of fresh seeds. If, by the middle of the growing season, you can’t tell the difference in quality or quantity between the plants of the new seeds and your “free” ones, congratulate yourself for being such a successful, frugal gardener!
September in the garden
• Chives, mint, basil, oregano, thyme and parsley are six easy-to-grow, easy-to-transplant edibles that can be dug up now from the garden and placed in pots on a sunny windowsill for a small indoor herb garden during the coming chilly months.
• Resist the urge to prune perennials and woody ornamentals because such a shearing this month will encourage new growth in early fall that probably won’t have time to harden off before the first frosts bite.
Tip of the month
Autumn is the prime time to enjoy floral mums in full flaunt with their dazzling flowers. If such displays have tempted you to buy a few of these pretties, extend their bloom shows by making sure their soil is moist but not soggy. Sogginess is guaranteed if the pots are wrapped in foil or plastic. The containers should be free-draining, so remove such fluff. To keep your mums properly hydrated, if the upper half-inch of soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Don’t want to get your fingers dirty? Watering these pretties about every two days will usually do if they aren’t in full sun all day.
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.