Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
because hybrid seeds will not produce vegetables that are as good as
their parents' seeds produced. These plants need to be isolated if
you want to harvest the seeds. The degree of isolation depends on
the plants. Some, such as peppers and eggplants, only need to be
about fifty feet apart so they do not cross-pollinate. Others, such as
corn, spinach, squash, and radishes, need total isolation. You should
only plant one variety of these vegetables if you are planning on sav-
ing the seeds.
Commercial growers like to plant hybrid seeds because they are
specifically created to produce similar-size crops that mature at the
same time. This is great if you are selling your produce, but for a
home gardener who only wants one plant to be ready at a time,
choosing nonhybrid is a better option. You want to make sure you
collect the seeds before they start dispersing naturally. You have to
take the time to observe the plants to know when the seed is ripe
enough for collecting, and you want to be sure you do it before they
are blown away by the wind.
Smoothie Garden Solution
Remember to label your seeds. Take the time to write down the
vegetable type, variety, any special features, and the place and
date you collected the seeds on the seed packet. The last thing you
want to find is a whole box of unlabeled seeds.
Storing Your Seeds
The seeds must be thoroughly dry. Spread the seeds out on a plate
or tray and place them in a warm location out of direct sunlight.
Leave them for a couple of weeks to dry thoroughly. Before you put
them into packets, make sure they are clean. Remove any chaff or
dirt from the seed by placing the seeds into a kitchen sieve with
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