Saturday, April 30, 2011

Taking up the challenge!



#6.


I could have put this post over at


The Garden




but I did these things inside my home


and in my mind :~P


so decided to post about it here.


~*~


I have been dabbling with saving seeds from a few of


my flowers and veggies over the last couple of years


with unpredictable success. I would really like to


be able to grow and save the majority of


our garden plants with better results and proficiency.



I have been cruising the web looking for heirloom seeds,


open-pollinated seeds, non-GMO seeds.


I came across the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed company,


who not only met all of these criteria, but also offer a


magazine where you can


"Learn how to grow organically, eat locally, save your own seed, preserve the harvest, homestead and live self-sufficiently."




I ordered it!



I also received my Seed Savers Exchange catalog and


got really excited to find a page for


"Planning Your Garden For Seed Saving."


I was a little less happy about the fact


that I can't grow everything that strikes my fancy


if I want to prevent cross-pollination and


produce pure seeds! :~{
I want to grow so many different varieties of squash,


which is surprising since I don't really even like squash!


But because squash is insect pollinated, and if


I were to grow more than one type of squash,


it would most likely not produce pure seed because of


cross-pollination.


So, I will have to choose which species I want one year


and only plant that variety to save pure seed.



But..



I can grow a variety of self pollinators
like beans and tomatoes which are less


likely to cross-pollinate!



So, I think this year I will plant a variety of


beans for drying and shelling


and hopefully for saving for next years' planting!



Not a big step as far as preparing,


but it is a beginning!


~*~


"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth....



And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth...


So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."






Selected from Genesis 1


8 comments:

Annesphamily said...

I am going to order their catalog too! I am always looking for ways to improve on my gardening skills and growing better plants and flowers and veggies! We moved in November 2010 and this yard is so bare and ugly! We need to get busy but we still have cold weather lurking here in Colorful Colorado! Have a great weekend! Anne

Unknown said...

I love those catalogs, too! And like you, I want to grow it all! I've started narrowing down some things that are my favorites so that I can grow those items and save their seeds, but other things I'm still experimenting with.
Thanks for linking up to the challenge!

Camille said...

I can almost hear the excitement in your voice as you type/think these things Raeann! How wonderful that you are making progress in such a pursuit. I'd like to grow tomatoes this year...I must get going soon. :)

All the best for your garden...I'm sure it will be lovely.

Many blessings,
Camille

Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G. said...

Dear Lady Farmer,

There's so much to learn, isn't there? I love Seed Savers Exchange and Baker Creek, and we may (depending on my husband's schedule) be able to make it out to Baker Creek's festival in a few weeks (hopefully!).

You'll have to keep us updated on your seed-saving adventures. :)

Love,

Marqueta

Anonymous said...

My dear Raeann,

I am glad to see you posting again. It has been awhile that I have stopped by :)

Seed saving is something that I have been practicing here in the cottage for two years now.

I don't order too many catalogs, because they create too much clutter, but the ones I get are very inspiring - too say the least.

Let us know how it goes with your garden dear friend,

Mrs. M.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

You've reminded me...I ordered their magazine a while back and it's not arrived yet. I met Jere Gettle a few years ago; he's quite an inspiration.
Potatoes went into the ground today along with two blueberry bushes. Some time this week, onions, squash, pumpkins and gourds will be planted and I'm getting some seeds started. Yes, a bit late but better than not at all. It's time to Garden!

Life In a Little House said...

That sounds wonderful and resourceful! Good luck with all your plans -love Heather :)

Petra said...

I love the verses you put at the end. I think of them every time I eat seedless grapes and reflect on the articles I've read on genetic food engineering which gives us seedless foods. That is so scary and sad. But, I didn't visit to make anyone sad. Blessings!