Advice on using all seeds or saving them?

16 years ago

Since i have received my wonderful newbie seed package, now I am wondering, will I really be able to plant everything out this season? Is it advisable to save some of the seed packets for next year? I know, also, that I can hopefully get someone else started WS by sharing seeds, and I can share the flowers if I have too many. Have some of you with more experience, though, found that you just ended up with too many seedlings and should have reined yourself in more? I don't want to be wasteful.

Comments (11)

gardenluv
16 years ago
Last year was my first year and since I was kind of doubtful when I sowed mine, I saved half of each pack of seeds in case I needed to redo them. I am using them this year, so it kind of served as a two-for-one. I ended up with so many little seedlings that I had to give some away!
Julie
16 years ago
Seeds- I habitually try to "hold some over" just in case I do not get the lil ones to grow on- and that is if there is enough to do that with- and I really want to try that plant. There are many more seeds that will keep a high germination rate for years- there are a few though that are best sown fresh- a little research should give you the info you need to know to save or sow.
Now- with established plants that I collect seeds from- I try to get those seeds out there to folks who may want to try them. Swaps- Exchanges- and bringing them to other gardeners and garden groups I know.
Seedlings- I grow on what I can find room for- and seem to add new beds every year.... But I do offer up MANY MANY seedlings/plants to friends and gardeners and garden groups for their sales- and bring to local exchanges in the spring and fall. It is a good feeling to be able to share what you have with others. And when you can do that on a large scale- well- the feeling is even better!
Every year- there are far too many seeds to try- and far too many seedlings to plant- but- there are also many more new people to meet and share the wealth with also. Last year- my sister found a country food shelf that actually wanted all the excess vegi seedlings I started to give to their folks in need. Had I know that was an option open to me- I would have started every vegi seed I had to give to them! As it was- they had a bunch to share around.
Last year was the first year that I had plants still in their sowing containers come fall. It was a bit sad to see the lost potential of those that did not get planted soon enough- but- I did get them planted. It is a bit much to be planting out seedlings all summer long- but know you are not alone- there are many of us in this forum who's "eyes" are bigger than their garden beds (look at some spring and summer past posts)... And- there are ways to not be wasteful- Share- Swap- Give- Enjoy! And, if it comes down to it- compost. Natures way of using what was- to give to what will be.
Enjoy your new WS experience- plant with abandon! Share your joy!

Julie
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I've only done it for leeks so far but the onions seem to be following the same pattern this year so I think this will apply. The onion puts out a flower stalk that ends in a capsule. The capsule looks much like a larger version of the end of a garlic scape but instead of bulbils, it'll go to seed. This opens up and puts out a compound flower (1 of my 4 "experiments" are flowering and the others are in the capsule stage right now). Once the onion flowers, you're left with a nicely spread flower head of maturing onion seed that looks like lots of dark colored dots. Around this time, you can cut off the stalks, put them in a paper bag - head first - and tie off the end of the bag or you can wait for the heads to dry down a bit and do the same thing. Hang the bags in a nice, airy, dry location for a couple of weeks to let them get really dry and then you're ready for threshing. Simply put, threshing is merely separating the seed from the rest of the plant. If you've bagged the seed heads, just shake them back and forth vigorously for a minute or so and all the seeds will have dropped to the bottom of the bag along with a little other dried stuff. Depending on how much chaff (non-seed) is in the bag, you may just be able to dump the bag into a sieve and let the clean seed fall through or shake in a bowl and pick the chaff off the top. I hope I've helped rather than confused further ...
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Shutterbugsyl, you are right to be concerned; I grow a lot of tomatoes from seed swaps, and crosses are a frequent problem. You are thinking ahead - which is good on you! There is a difference between those who save seed strictly for their own use... and those who intend to share with others, who should take extra precautions to ensure purity. Remy's link is one of the better ones on GW, since it covers all the bases - with illustrations. If you are growing large numbers of tomatoes in close proximity & saving seed, blossom bagging is your best option. You only need to bag one or two clusters per plant (or per variety), and Remay or Agribon floating row cover is easy & economical for this purpose. When the tomatoes begin to enlarge within the bag: (1) Check for holes in the bag caused by insects; if you find one, do not save seed from that cluster. (2) Pinch off any remaining flowers or buds. (3) Mark the cluster with something that is bright and not easily removed (birds love string!). The marker should be easily visible when the tomatoes are full-grown, to avoid accidentally destroying the pure seed. Then harvest the marked tomatoes separately when ripe, and process the seed. Fermentation is the preferred method. There are many existing threads & FAQ's on this, just search for "tomato fermentation", or refer to the link below which discusses many aspects of saving tomato seed. Here is a link that might be useful: Saving tomato seeds
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Its important to keep them in a cool, dark, dry place. I keep mine in a container in the refrigerator. The germination rate will go down some each year, faster on somethings than others. Onion are said to only be able to be kept for 1 yr, I had a 5 yr old package with about 60 seed so I planted them (just to see) not thinking I would really get anything from them. 14 seeds germinated, thats almost 25%. So I would not count on most germinating when they start getting old, but I would not just discount them. I've also planted 3 15 yr old tomato seeds and had 2 of them germinate. If your using older seed its a little more of a gamble but like the lottery you never know if you don't try it. If more grow than you can use, you can always share. Good gardening, Mary
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mydream
16 years ago
I'm glad someone else is thinking spring.
I'm searching around the Net for information on seeds, landscaping etc.
It's only January and I'm already tired of winter.

It too seed half of the package and save the rest, just in case I have to try it again. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: http://homes-n-gardens.com/
greylady_gardener
16 years ago
My concern is that I will have more plants than I have garden (although this year I am going to be using Donn's method for 'instant beds'), so I am being conservative with the seed sowing. I did however have some seeds that I had an extremely small amount for and I was worried about not having a 'back up'. I then realized that if the plant grows successfully and matures to set seed, then I will have an endless supply of seeds anyway, so why was I worried.
dorisl
16 years ago
Personally, I only sow a few of each kind. I really dont need, like, 20 of the same tomato plant, cuz this year Im going for quantity in VARIETIES rather than quantites of any one tomatoe. So, I think enough to make sure I get one or two of each kind.

Next year tho, we'll pick some faves and grow more of those.

I can try ANY seed, but I dont have to try EVERY seed. :)
bakemom_gw
16 years ago
In my household, an empty seed box is a happy seed box. All my seeds get sown or given away. That being said, I don't have any particular plant that I would really miss should something go wrong, so I don't do backup. That might not be true for many people here. I gather a ton of seed each year from my own garden and even in the drought we had this summer I still have tons to re-sow and give away.
kqcrna
16 years ago
I give away a lot, and I save a lot for future years for myself or for trades.

This year I had my own little "adopt a newbie wintersower" seed giveaway at work. I gave about 12 or 15 packs of different seeds to 6 people at work who were interested, and explained how to wintersow. I gave them the URL for this forum, and hope they will follow up and sow the seeds. I have also done SASBE offers here on the exchange. With all the seeds I collect from my own garden, trades, etc, it all adds up. I've given away a lot of seeds in the past 2 years. Seedlings too, because I can only use so many.

And some thought should be given to a person's financial status. If you are fortunate to be able to afford to buy all the seeds you want every year, lucky you! If, on the other hand, finances are an issue, then by all means, keep plenty for yourself next year.

Karen
tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
I think as time goes on I'm getting pickier about what I sow, but I do sow lots more than what I need. In the end I give away a lot of plants.

Last year, after I set aside what I wanted, I sent out SASEs with any seeds that were leftover, so this year I started with a clean slate. I keep my seeds in a collection of old sewing baskets and they are already begining to fill up with trades and purchases and gifts from this year. It was nice to start anew!
grannybrug
16 years ago
Greylady-gardner, can you please tell me what Donn's method for instant beds is? I tried doing a search but the file is missing.
Thank you much!
Diana
greylady_gardener
16 years ago
This is the link that someone gave me recently about the instant bed method. It does seem easy, but if you are not able to do the digging to get them started then lasagna beds would still be easier work wise....maybe not getting the material wise though.
I just may try both methods this year to see which one I like better.
When I think of all the time and back breaking labour that I put into preparing gardens!! :) Never again (I hope)

Here is a link that might be useful: instant beds
pearlgirl
16 years ago
Weeeellllll...I have a lot and I sow a lot of seeds! I
REALLY need to slow down on trading/buying more seeds.. but..I CAN'T!!! LOL. Whatever I don't WS or start on the
patio this spring will get thrown into a raised holding
bed. Whatever germinates is fine and whatever doesn't is
fine also. There are a few specials that will get special
treatment.
Right now I'm totally overwhelmed :):)

Margaret

Advice on using all seeds or saving them?

Comments (11)

gardenluv

Julie

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