Horticulture November 2024 Newsletter
Preview This Newsletter
Master Gardener Program Applications Available November 1 through November 29.
This is a 14 week program to gain knowledge and hands on experience in different aspects of gardening.
Master Gardeners have required hours of volunteer service. Can't volunteer? Please ask us about our non-volunteer garden class option.
Applications due November 29, 2024
November Calendar of Events
Seed Saving
As the weather becomes colder and we get ready to close down our gardens for the winter, there is a vital part of the process that so often gets overlooked. Seed saving. Now, most would think that it’s easier to simply buy the seeds again next year and not go through the hassle, but that is not always a guarantee. Seed companies discontinue seeds all the time for various reasons, and in the worst instances, those genetics are lost forever. That is why it is up to us gardeners to save seeds. It is also fun to save seeds and see exactly what kind of plants and vegetables we can create. It’s always interesting to find that watermelon crossed with a pumpkin after all, even if the taste isn’t something to be desired.
Now, what’s the first step to saving seed? Well, that depends on the plant. Most vegetables will need some extra steps to be scooped out and dried first. For some vegetables it is simple while others need some extra steps to deal with the meat of the vegetables. Tomatoes, for example, need their seeds to be placed in a glass of water for several days before being strained through a sifter to separate the flesh and skin from the seeds, then dried on a paper towel. You could just place the seeds on the paper towel directly if you’re feeling lazy, but this leaves some smelly gunk that can attract bugs.
Most flower seeds will need to be harvested once the plant of flower is entirely brown and gone to seed. The heads can be removed with a pair of hand pruners or scissors, or sometimes just your hands. Be cautious, as some plants, such as Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia), can be rather poky. Take the seed heads and put them in a well ventilated place for at least a week to be certain that there is no moisture. When the seeds are dry enough, the seed heads can be broken up and the released into at bowl. Do not gather seed that is still green or white, as this means the seed is not yet viable. Wait until the seed is a darker color like brown or black before harvesting.
Some plants, like Poppies, are simple to gather seeds. One just opens the seedpod and dumps it into a bowl, but for many other types of seeds, such as Strawflower (Helichrysum), the process is a little more complicated. After collecting the seed heads and removing the seeds from the remains, you are left with the fluffy chaff connected to the seeds. Run the chaff between your fingers and knock the the seed from the chaff. Then use a fan or blow on chaff as you carefully pour it into another bowl so the chaff flies out of the bowl, but the heavier seeds stay in the bowl. This is best done outside to avoid a huge mess.
Certain flowers are even more difficult to get the seed from, such as Brown Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) or Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea). These plants require some violent persuasion to get them out. The easiest way is to get a plastic container with a screw on lid and place rocks or metal nuts within, along with the seed heads and close the container tight. Then channel your inner paint shaker and shake the devil out of it. After a few minutes of loud noise and vented frustrations, open the lid and pour the contents into a bowl. There may be some dust from the pulverized plant matter, so it might be best to open it either outside or in a room that you don’t care if it gets dirty. Sort the rocks out and place them back in the container. Remove the big seed heads and put them back into the container. Place the seeds that are in the bowl in a separate container for temporary storage and repeat the process of shaking at least three times to make sure you’ve gotten as many seeds as possible.
Some flowers, like Dahlia, will not grow true from seed, but even if they do you won’t get the same plant. It is always fun to see what you do get, and who knows, you could make a whole new variety that no one else has ever seen before. If you save the tubers you get to name it. Drying racks are a good way to improve the airflow of the drying seeds. This usually consists of a window screen placed on an elevated surface, such as two chairs. Or if you’re feeling fancy, and know how to build things, you can build a drying rack system sort of like a baker’s rack. This only works if the seeds are not too small like poppy seeds, so use your best judgement. When in doubt, test a small bit of the seeds on the screen with a bowl underneath to catch, just in case.
Once the seeds are dried, place them in an envelope with the name of the seeds, and the date harvested on the outside. Never put your seeds in a plastic baggy as it can cause mold if the seeds were not entirely dry. Then place the seed packet into a dry place with constant temperatures. A refrigerator is one of the best places to store seeds and ensure your seeds will last for many years. If a refrigerator is not possible, place them in a temperature controlled room that does not get too hot or freeze as this can degrade the seeds fertility.
Also, beware of having seeds sitting out where mice can get to them. This includes storing your seeds in cardboard boxes or shoe boxes. It is devastating to do all that work only to discover the following spring that mice completely ate all of your sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The best storage container to use is an inexpensive tote that has locking handles. A good way to easily find what seeds you are looking for is to list them alphabetically by the time of year that they are planted. Spring and fall plants for one and summer for another. You can also sort them by annuals and perennial, as well as herbs, flowers and vegetables. This saves a lot of headache later. It is always so frustrating when you want to get planting, but can’t seem to find what you are looking for, or when you go out and buy some seed only to discover that you already had it.
Seed Saving is fun, rewarding, and can save you money. So get out there and start saving seeds.
Upcoming Events
Tri-County Lawn Care CEU Course
Busy Bloomer Garden Club
Bird Club
Christmas Door Swag
4-H Horticulture Group
Christmas Gift Ideas
We are in the middle of the holiday season. With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to get serious about gift shopping. There's a multitude of ideas that you could get for the gardener in your life. Choices and prices range from a simple rain gauge to a garden tractor. With so many options available, I thought it might be helpful to share my top ten ideas that will fit everyone's budget.
10.) A combination stool and kneeler. They are padded, so it's more comfortable for your knees and the handles are great for getting up and down. They're also versatile for sitting on to work on your raised beds.
9.) A tool tote is an excellent idea for keeping your equipment in one place. It doesn't have to be very large to stay organized. With room enough for everything from hand trowels to garden labels your gardener will have everything ready by their side.
8.) A roll up gardening mat. Let's face it, gardening gets messy. A mat is ideal for starting your seeds or repotting your peppers. It will keep your potting mix in one place and when you're done it's easy to put the remainder back into your bag. Then just roll or fold it up and put it away.
7.) Gardening gloves, hat, and sleeves. Gardening can be tough on your hands and arms. Whether it's pruning your roses or pulling poison ivy. And we all need sun protection and a wide brimmed hat is wonderful shade. You can help your gardener stay healthy and active with some quality safety gear.
6.) Pruning shears or scissors. One way to keep a garden looking good is by maintaining its appearance. And one of the most important ways to do that is for pruning and trimming. And if your gardener already has that equipment, then a great idea would be to have them professionally sharpened for them.
5.) A watering can or garden wand. Depending upon how big their garden is, a watering can would be a fine addition for anyone's tool kit. If they have a larger garden, then a watering wand is the way to go. And both of these things come in plastic and metal, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking, metal will be higher quality and longer lasting, but the plastic ones will also be lighter and sometimes easier to handle . In my experience when it comes to a gardening wand, you get what you pay for.
4.) Customized garden labels. These would be a cute little gift for grandparents. They could say anything from Nana's flower garden to Papa's raspberries. They can be ordered online and customized in a multitude of ways.
3.) Seed catalogs are an excellent idea for Christmas gifts. Who doesn't love sitting through the cold winter months looking through seed catalogs planning on next year's garden. And you can find seed catalogs that are very specific to someone's interests. Whether it's daylilies or bearded irises, there's a catalog out there for everyone. A lot of them you can get for free, but sometimes you have to pay for them. My personal favorite catalog is the Baker Creek Whole Seed catalog. It's loaded with seeds and recipes.
2.) Gardening can be a rough dirty job on your hands. Your gardener would be delighted with a gift bag containing good soaps, a fingernail brush, and some nice lotion. It'll help us keep our hands in good working order and be ready for the next days adventure.
1.) My best recommendation for your gardener is a gardening journal. With a journal, you can track your progress, whether it be germination rates for your seeds or even your watering schedule. I'm sure we've all said the phrase, I'll remember this. With the gardening journal, you don't have to remember it. You always have the ability to track what you're doing and go back into your previous year and see what worked and what didn't work. That's why I believe it's the most important gift you can get your gardener. Merry Christmas!
Cabbage Rolls Recipe
