stage, i think our house doesn't get warmer for a couple of reasons. #1. We keep all the blinds/windows closed on the south side of the house during the daytime so the hot air can't get in. #2. On the 2nd floor of the house (attic) we have fans set up blowing the hot air OUT the windows. So as heat rises in the house during the day and makes its way up to the 2nd floor (since heat rises), the fans blow that heated air out of the house. #3. We live on a lake. The south side of our house faces the lake and more often than not, the breeze comes straight across the lake hitting the front of the house. The water in the lake cools the air (breeze) so even when its warm, we generally have a comfortable breeze keeping the property cooler. I notice this ALL the time in the summer. There are many days where its substantially warmer at work (15 min away) than it is at home.

Do you have a specific seed in mind? Try the search function at the bottom of the ws front page. Ask about specific seeds and someone will share their experiences. There is also a Seed Saving forum that you can explore. Most seeds will be ready when their pods or blossoms are brown and crisp. Some are easy to collect, poppies, dianthus, malva, and balloon flower can be held over a bag or envelope then squeezed to release the seeds. Rudbeckia and echinacea seeds are difficult to find until you have had some practice. Both hold their seeds amongst the blossoms. When the blossom is dried on the plant they can be picked. The rudbeckia seeds are tiny dark rods. After awhile you will recognize the seeds. For me it was "aha, there they are" moment. I take various sized envelopes out to the garden to put the pods or blooms in then take them inside to find the seeds. For large seeds, blossoms, or large amounts of those I use a paper lunch bag. If they are not already very dry I leave them in the bag/envelope for a few days to continue to dry. Others spread the seed pods onto a paper plate to dry. Later I open the pods and collect the seeds while watching (actually listening to) the TV. The collected seeds are then put in a 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 paper coin envelope. When I am ready to trade I use either the paper coin envelope or very small plastic bead bags. I use cut down boxes with strips of cardboard cut for dividers to store my seed coin envelopes alphabetically. There are boxes for perennials, annuals, veggies, etc. Sometimes I find myself without an envelope/bagand just stuff the seeds into a pocket. LOL, that's why I have so many mystery seeds. Others have different ways. Have fun! Here is a link that might be useful: Saving seed

Hi Jali, YouÂre talking about the seeds we saved, arenÂt you? The commercial seed packets I have are all neatly separated into veggies, annuals, and perennialsÂand then alphabetized, but the seeds IÂve collected myself, well thatÂs just kind of a big mess in a box! But no silica gel here! I keep them in an open dish for a month or more until IÂm sure theyÂre completely dry, and then I stick them in whatever size zipper baggie is appropriate for the amount I haveÂand put a little slip of paper with the name in the baggie along with the seed. If I had more veggie seeds IÂd probably separate the perennial and veggie seeds, but so far the only veggie seeds IÂve saved are my parsnip seeds, so thereÂs really nothing to separate! Actually, I just happened to think! (I do it sometimes!) The perennial seed I collected when I was working in the green industryÂthereÂs a whole bunch of thatÂare all alphabetized by botanical name! But the recent stuff IÂve collected since I moved into this house is a MESS! ItÂs really nice to be seeing more of you around here again, Jali! Skybird

I buy boxes of regular small envelopes at the dollar store. After the seeds are very dry, I put them in an envelope. Sometimes I cut the envelopes in half for smaller amounts. I tape them closed and write on them. I can write more than just the name on the envelope. I also write any instructions and the year on there. I cut open one end or corner when needed, roll it closed and secure with a paperclip. I store these envelopes in a basket in a spare room that is kept cool. The paper envelopes keep them dry and out of the light. The basket also lets the air circulate. I have had good success with these. If I get seeds in a trade in plastic bags, I leave them in those. I don't think seeds would survive in my fridge. My guys would probably eat them... :-)