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Seed saving: A frugal and fun way to get new plants

8/26/2013

Saving Hybrid Seeds Can Be Risky

This year, I decided to save the seeds from my nasturtiums.

I've never been much of a seed saver, mainly because so many new flowers are hybrids that won't reproduce true to the original plant. Hybrids are a cross between two or more varieties of a plant bred to bring out specific characteristics, such as color, size, shape or growing habit. Planting seeds from a hybrid may result in flowers that differ from the original. Some hybrid seeds may be sterile and fail to germinate.

Sometimes the risk is worth the effort of collecting and drying the seeds because you end up with interesting varieties and save a ton on buying seeds in the spring.

Nasturtium Seeds

Nasturtium seeds always amaze me. These pea-like seeds form in clusters - typically a cluster of three - within days of the bloom. Unless you are meticulous about deadheading your nasturtium flowers, you've probably seen the seeds and simply picked them off and thrown them away.

That was my intention, but then I remembered my mother's jars of seeds from the garden each year and decided it was time I became a little more frugal and saved my own seeds.

Saving Nasturtium Seeds

Pick nasturtium seeds when they are fully formed.
Spread the seeds out over a paper towel or folded newspaper to dry.
Place them in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Turn the seeds to insure even drying.
Store the dried seeds in a glass jar or other airtight container in a cool, dark place until spring.
Plant nasturtiums seeds after all danger of frost has passed in the spring.

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Squash Bug larvae look like gray and black spiders!

8/13/2013

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Apparently, Mother Nature decided that a late spring, seeds rotting in the soil and wet, humid weather that prevented the garden from growing as expected wasn't quite enough surprises for Maine gardeners this year. She decided to bless me with Squash Bugs, too.

In nearly 30 years of gardening, I have never encountered anything quite as horrifying as these creepy crawly bugs that look like a million tiny spiders on my summer squash and zucchini. They are, of course, the larvae of the squash bug (Anasa Tristis) getting ready to devour my plants.

Of course, I didn't catch them all at the larval stage. There are plenty of nymphs and adults around too. Add to that rows upon rows of eggs skillfully hidden on the undersides of the leaves and I'm not sure my summer squash can be saved.

Squash Bug Larvae

Squash Bug Nymph

Squash Bug Eggs

Pesticides to Kill Squash Bugs

University sites, of course, recommend all natural methods of getting rid of squash bugs - you know like hand picking them. I've done that already as I clipped off infected leaves and bundled them all in a garbage bag.

Now its time to get rid of the rest of them. Both carbaryl (Sevin) and perethrin (Ambush) are reported to be effective against squash bugs. If you choose to use them, please follow the safety precautions on the label and avoid contact with your eyes or mucus membranes.

Always observe the appropriate number of days (usually 7 days to 2 weeks) before harvesting and eating vegetables treated with pesticides.

Until Next Time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!

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Fall vs Spring Bulbs

8/11/2013

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As hard as it is to believe, the summer is winding to an end here in Maine. When I went shopping yesterday, I was surprised to see mums on display. I'll be honest, it made me a little sad to know that fall will soon be on the way. It also started me thinking about next year's garden.

That, of course, led me to spring-blooming bulbs. I call them spring-blooming bulbs because there is so much confusion over the difference between fall and spring bulbs. The truth is: fall bulbs are the bulbs planted in the fall for spring blooms, while spring bulbs refer to those planted in the spring for fall blooms - but I've noticed that others have decided to adopt this term to eliminate the confusion and I find it a better descriptor.

I decided that seeming bulb season is nearly upon us, I would add a page specifically for bulbs. You can view it at Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs. It is a work in progress, but you can help me out by sending in your questions about planting bulbs on the Ask a Gardener page.

Until Next Time . . . HAPPY GARDENING!

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