Posted on 01/27/2023 2:43:21 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.
This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to our New & Improved Ping List.
NOTE: This is a once a week Ping List. We do post to the thread during the week. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time!
Seed Savvy: Keep Track of Your Stash
If you’re like me, as soon as the holiday decorations come down, it’s time to prop up my feet and settle in for an afternoon of browsing through seed catalogs. Just looking at the vibrant pictures of delicious vegetables and fruits and luscious flowers makes me yearn for spring.
After years of market gardening and ordering pounds and pounds of seeds at a time, I’ve acquired quite a selection of plant and seed catalogs from various companies throughout the country. I can always count on the mailman to deliver one or two a week over the next few months, and I keep adding to the stack on the coffee table until it wobbles. Ok, ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get what I mean.
With so many wonderful seed companies, you can find a handful to supply you with the seeds and plants you want for your garden. Whether it’s heirloom seeds, native plants, cover crops, or hybrid top-producers, you are guaranteed to find what you need.
But before you place an order, making a seed inventory is an easy step worth the time and effort. Not only will having a seed inventory save you money by preventing you from spending too much on similar seeds that you may already have on-hand, but will help you plan your garden if you keep accurate records.
An inventory also benefits me because at the end of the season, I just toss every seed packet I have into a bin. I do keep them somewhat organized by putting seed packets of like-kinds in zipper bags. For example, root vegetables such as radishes and carrots will be in a bag, broccoli and cauliflower in another, and lettuce and leafy greens in another. Rather than having to dig through the bin and bags to find a random seed packet, I simply reach for my inventory, and voila!, I have the information I need.
Make Lists
Now, there are many online spreadsheet templates you can find for free. But for me, I’m an old-fashioned list-maker, using good ol’ pen and paper. And as with any good inventory, you’ll need to come up with a system of information that works for you. What is important to know? What will keep you organized? How will you indicate that you need to purchase more seeds? How will you keep track of what vegetables or flowers produced well for you in your climate?
What About Starts?
I start with basic categories as headers: beans, root vegetables, greens, squash/pumpkins, melons, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc. I usually do not keep an inventory of garlic, sweet potatoes, or potatoes, because I’ve already planted the garlic, and I’ll buy my seed potatoes fresh each spring. And I start my own sweet potato slips in late February (you can find out how I do that in my earlier blog post regarding sweet potato slips).
Star What You Need More Of
Under each header, I list each variety, placing a star beside an entry if I need to purchase more. My inventory is fairly simple because if a plant doesn’t perform properly, I usually do not plant it again the following year. If something gives me spotty germination, or it’s too finicky in the garden, I don’t waste space and time trying another season, but that’s something I’ve learned after years of experience.
Note Harvest Dates
I might also write days to maturity in order to ensure I have varieties to extend the season. I want both early- and later-producing vegetables. It’s also a good idea to add the location in which it was planted. If you practice crop rotation, and I highly recommend you do, this will help you remember where not to plant it the following season.
Note Seed Expiration Dates
I would also advise making note of seed expiration dates, which will be printed on the seed packet. While some seeds may retain their viability beyond the expiration date, it could affect germination rates. Kept in a cool, dry location many seeds can be stashed for about three years. There are exceptions, however, so do a little seed research and put that information in your inventory.
Note Special Information
Finally, I make a separate cheat sheet just of the seeds I want or need to purchase. That way, I don’t need to go through my entire inventory to find the few items that need replenished. I may also add names of new varieties I do not have in my collection. I’m eyeing frilly-petalled poppies that would make quite a statement, and I don’t know of any of my gardening friends who have seeds to share.
If you have any suggestions for a seed inventory, I hope you’ll reach out with your ideas either here or on social media. The more information we share, the better gardeners we will all be.
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/keep-track-of-your-seed-stash-zbcz2101/
(Corinne Gompf is a writer and hobby farmer in Morrow County, Ohio. She is a graduate from the University of Toledo, with a BA in English, creative writing concentration. Along with her husband, Matt, and two children, Fletcher and Emery, Corinne raises poultry, Boer goats, and chemical-free produce.)
All things seed related in my library, including seed saving. https://permasteader.route66custom.com/cloud/index.php/s/eqfmjgDwfWwxkbT
The Best Ways to Store Seeds
(Organize your future garden with seed storage ideas for all types of containers)
If you’ve collected the seeds from your summer garden, the fall vegetables will soon have a bounty of seeds to save, or maybe you have excess from planting earlier in the year, you might need some good seed storage ideas. Those seeds represent a bounty of food and foliage for the next planting season so you’ll want to store them properly so they aren’t lost or damaged before you need them. Here are some of the best seed storage ideas and containers to ensure that your seeds remain viable and organized.
Pillboxes
8-Track Case (What’s an 8-Track, Grandpa?)
Photo Albums
Filing Cabinet
Photo Case
Various Commercial Organizers
Mason Jars
Ziplock Bags
https://www.thespruce.com/simple-and-creative-seed-storage-ideas-4109218
Peppers were all in one pouch, but I divided the tomatoes by Roma-Types, Slicers/Canners and Cherry-types.
These seeds got top billing, as they are seeds I will plant first in the spring, or am growing inside over winter such as lettuces and spinach.
This shoe organizer has 24 pockets and was about $6 from Walmart. I also have one over the pantry door (on the inside) that holds additional Prepper items, and I use one in my office, again on the inside of the door that hold craft supplies. It just kind of dawned on me the other day that this would work for seed storage, too. And it does. Yay!
Re: Using Mason Jars for seed storage. I have four half-pint jars where I add leftover seed at the end of the season. Since the seeds are all small, they keep their viability for quite a number of years.
Leaf Lettuce Mix
Spinach
Mesclun Mix
Beneficial Bug Mix
At the end of the planting season, if I have little bits left of any of these items, they go into the appropriate Mason Jar and I use them the next season, or over winter if I’m growing salad greens in my grow light rack.
I love the Leaf Lettuce Mix. It’s always a surprise as to what I get, and all of the various lettuce colors together look so cool. (I am not a PURIST by any stretch when it comes to my garden.)
DIANA’S BENEFICIAL BUG MIX:
Cilantro
Dill (’Bouquet’ short variety)
Blue Bachelor Buttons
Orange or Yellow Calendula
Cosmos (any SHORT variety/color)
Persian Carpet Zinnia
Borage (just a little; it readily self-seeds!)
Mix together a standard-size packet of each seed, but go easy on the Borage. Trust me! I start this seed mix in 4” pots than either put a ‘plug’ of them here and there in garden beds or grow four, 4” pots to a big pot situated somewhere in the garden. These varieties bring in lovely things like Lacewings and REAL Ladybugs and other GOOD BUGS that will keep the BAD BUGS under control in your garden.
If you plant extra for cutting, this combo makes for the sweetest, prettiest little bouquet on your kitchen table. It’s a WIN/WIN! :)
Thanks gor the excellent links
Wish you were my neighbor...
Thank you for running this gardening forum.
🙏
Nice storage! I like to use the white plastic containers that French’s fried onion topping comes in. They seal good. No problem with mice and I can write on the container what is in them.
A seed chest, like a tea chest.
COOL!
My Pleasure! :)
Love that.. .the flowers list...I love borage...
I use a lovely wooden box that my son gave me.
Found 2 online seed catalogs that have interesting seed selections :
www.SwallowTailGardenSeeds.com
www.SelectSeeds.com
My seeds arrived today! The only disappointment was that pictures were not on the packages, just names and starting instructions. I went to the online catalogue and using “print friendly”, made PDFs of all the seeds I’m giving to my ‘greats’. They’ll have pictures and a little description of the seeds they’re getting.
I was in Hobby Lobby, yesterday I think (time is a “blur” these days) and I bought two sets of photo keepers with 6 photo cases. I’ve already put what seeds packets I had from last year in them - looks like they’re going to work well (on sale, too!). Now I have new seed packets to add.
Today was also the first day I had any energy to do anything outside. I got the flat tire off of the golf cart that pulls the trailer we use for hauling garden debris, etc. and took it to the shop. It could be ready as early as Monday. That tire is rotted badly - by this fall, it was only holding air 2-3 days. Mom always hops in the cart and takes off without checking the tire, so we won’t have that issue any more.
I also drained 10 gallons of gas out of the generator so it doesn’t sit and separate into a tank half full of water. The gas will go in the old truck and get used up. I’ll run what’s left out of the generator, then keep a gallon or so of high octane gas in there just for test starts. This should solve a lot of issues.
I’m using old boxes flattened out with either pine needles or wood chips on top to keep the weeds under control in the garden walkways this year. I had saved boxes piled on the porch - they all got moved to the garage and out of the way for now.
It was chilly outside - my hands got cold, but it felt good to get some fresh air. Tomorrow should be sunny and a high of 58 before it goes back to temps in the 40’s and rain next week so maybe I can get out & do a few more things.
“generator”
Many Floridians in my hurricane-hit area had trouble with starting their generators because of old gas.
I got my older lawnmower to run reliably by drying out its gas tank using paper towels before adding new fuel.
“I’m using old boxes flattened out with either pine needles or wood chips on top to keep the weeds under control in the garden walkways this year.”
Not sure if you saw my ‘tip’ from many posts ago, but my Mom brought me a pack of roof shingles, and we put those down between the rows of my raised beds. The surface is ‘grainy’ so it’s really solid and not slippery at all if wet, and it REALLY cut down on the weeds between the rows. There are still a few getting through along the edges, but if I stay on top of them, a quick squirt of undiluted vinegar does the trick.
Make sure the cardboard is well covered with your choice of mulch; wet cardboard can get slippery.
I planted a lot of seeds in the past week, but it has been cold (by Florida standards [and mine]) much of the past week in my part of Florida, so it will probably be another week before I know what old seeds will grow.
I haven’t bought any new seeds yet.
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