SLIDE 1
presented by Jacqueline Bruhn, Strafford County Master Gardener extension.unh.edu Become a Master Gardener ~ classes in the Seacoast
Seed Saving 101 presented by Jacqueline Bruhn, Strafford County - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Seed Saving 101 presented by Jacqueline Bruhn, Strafford County - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Seed Saving 101 presented by Jacqueline Bruhn, Strafford County Master Gardener extension.unh.edu Become a Master Gardener ~ classes in the Seacoast Seed Saving vs Seed Preparing Seed preparation happens before planting to insure or improve
SLIDE 2
SLIDE 3
Seed Saving vs Seed Preparing
- Seed preparation happens before planting to insure or improve
germination
- Seed saving happens after the plant has reproduced
SLIDE 4
Why save seeds?
- genetic diversity
- save money
- expand planting of unique/heirloom varieties
- connection to nature
SLIDE 5
SLIDE 6
What to Save & When
- Hybrid vs Open Pollinated
- Heirloom (open pollinated)
- healthiest plants
- not (always) ready when ripe for eating
- bi-annual
SLIDE 7
Source: University of Maine Cooperative Publication Bulletin #2750
Self-pollinated Plants
Cross-pollinated plants pollinated by wind Cross-pollinated plants pollinated by insects
Legume Family: beans, peas Grasses: corn Asparagus Composite family: lettuce, endive, chicory, radicchio Chenopods: beets, Swiss chard, spinach Allium Family: onion, shallot, leek Solonacious: Tomato (many heirlooms cross- pollinate at a high frequency) Umbel Family: carrot, celery, parsley, dill, parsnips Brassica family: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage
Classification of Vegetable Crops by Pollination Method
SLIDE 8
Allow vegetables to “flower”
- salad greens
- radishes
- beets
- carrots
- turnips
SLIDE 9
Wet process Techniques
- Simple process
- Fermentation specifically for tomatoes
SLIDE 10
Simple germination test
- up to 100 seeds (small seeds)
- damp paper towels/warm location
- baggie that is not closed
- 7 days germination check
SLIDE 11
Dry Process or Winnowing
- seeds dry on plants
- “threshing” removes the seeds from coverings
- cool, dry dark environment for storage
- label date/variety inside and outside of containers
SLIDE 12
SLIDE 13
Other tips & tricks
- Use silica gel or powdered milk wrapped in chess cloth as your
- desiccant. Powdered milk will last about 6 months
- Ideal storage temp is 32 to 41
- Harvest pepper seeds by leaving peppers on plant until wrinkled
- Label harvest date and variety
SLIDE 14
Dried seed samples
- salad greens (from a mix)
- common milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca)
- Ablution indicum
- Tithonia - Mexican sunflower
- dried beans
- carrots
- morning glory
SLIDE 15