. . . “The gardener does not create the garden. The garden creates the gardener.”
Alan Chadwick – pioneer of biodynamic gardening
This is a quote by Alan Chadwick, a pioneer of biodynamic gardening and a proponent of permaculture principles. The quote suggests that the garden is a dynamic, living entity that shapes the individual tending it, fostering personal growth, patience, and a deeper connection with nature rather than being merely a product of the gardener’s will.
Saving Seeds: After a presentation about seed collecting during the September meeting, McKenzie Coon offered the following information, in response to a member’s request that she put some collecting tips in the newsletter.
Seed collecting and exchange benefits:
- Preserve genetic biodiversity
- Spread knowledge
- Save money
- Foster friendships
Before You Start:
- Identify mature seeds: Seeds are ready when they’re fully dry and have typically changed color (e.g., turned black)
- Select parent plants: Only collect seeds from disease free plants
- Gather materials and tools: Small garden tools, like scissors or pruners and a paper bag or envelope
Collecting instructions:
- Bag the seed heads: Carefully place the seed heads or pods into a paper bag, and then snip them into the bag. This allows air circulation.
- Label everything: Write the plant name and collection date on the bag.
- Allow further drying: Leave the bagged seed heads in the bag for a week or two to finish drying.
- Separate seeds: Once dry, place the contents on a plate or paper to separate the seeds from the chaff and pods.
- Store the seeds: Transfer the clean, dry seeds to a jar, coin envelope, or seed packet and store in a cool, dark, and dry location
Christine Pritts
