I think the original statement was pretty general, and could in some cases, be true. Overall, I feel like I save some money from my gardening. Initially, there was some "capital outlay" for tools. We splurged and bought a used Troy-bilt tiller the third year we had a garden. But we still have it 12 years later, and it's made short work in creating new gardens at our last two houses. I buy some seeds cheaply, but do sometimes splurge on new varieties as I enjoy trying something new. (This is part of health benefits--relaxation, doing something I really enjoy!). I have tried, in most cases to do things as cheaply as possible--I make compost, recycle containers, start lots of my own plants. If I charged for the plants I give away or tried to sell extra produce instead of giving it to friends, I could probably completely offset my input costs, but I get pleasure from giving those things away. As my boys have grown, I've had to work my gardening in around their activities; so I don't always get things done in the garden when I'd like which probably reduces my yields. I still do way more canning and freezing than the average working mom, and I love to watch my friends eyes grow round when I pop the lid on a pint of homemade salsa in January. Putting it all together, I'd say the health and economic benefits of the garden outway the costs for our family.

I let some Brussels sprouts go to seed this year from overwintering, and I got at least ten thousand (10,000) from each plant, though I did not save all of them. I now have hundreds of Brussels sprouts seedlings coming up where the plants were. I also let a few broccoli plants flower, but they were regular types and they didn't flower as vigorously as the Brussels sprouts. Only a few of the flower buds opened. I don't know how the Brussels sprouts seedlings would taste as sprouts like broccoli, but you could have my seeds if you wanted them. They are not much use in growing because I let hybrid and open pollinated plants flower at the same time and didn't isolate them. I don't have room or time to see how these plants will do.

Thanks Nospice! I just like growing things from seeds! I usually pass them on when I get them going so I just wanted to make sure they would be genetically still considered a meyers seedling(and not a "seedling" grown from meyers) :)

From the Dirr and Heuser Jr. reference manual: "The cone of picea abies is brown when ripe and matures from September to November with seed dispersal occuring from September to April. It is best to harvest cones just before they ripen. A pound of seed averages 64,000 seeds. The seed requires no pre sowing treatment, although reference has been made to a 3 week cold stratifcation for more uniform germination. The seed may benefit from a 24 hour presoak before spring planting." I take that to mean collect the seed now, store cool and dry, 3 weeks or so before spring sowing time soak seed for 24 hours, pop into frig at or around 40 degrees farenheit, take out 3 weeks later and sow. As for the 50% figure, I think I read that somewhere but do not recall where. I have no experience with withches broom seed, but if you want a dwarf, might be better to propagate the broom itself. For Norway spruce that means grafting. If you dont have any experience with that then maybe try a few yourself and let someone with some experience try a few for you. I bet Dax would jump at the chance.