Seeds for another Season

Thai Gold baby corn

On a cold winters day I ventured into the loft and made myself at home in the warm sun rays falling through the dormer-gable window.  The bean pods and cob of corn had dried out nicely in the warm dry loft and I could start harvesting the seeds.

Rattlesnake beans

Mexican Black beans

I could harvest Yard Long beans, Mexican Black beans, Rattlesnake beans and Thai Gold baby corn for the summer season.

Empty bean pods

The tomato seeds that I harvested earlier have dried properly, and I could prepare them for storing until I need to plant them later this year. To make it easy for planting I squeeze out the pips on a sheet of newspaper and then I spread them out. When I want to plant them, I just take the newspaper sheet covered in pips and plant the sheet as is.

Tomato seeds ready for planting

If I want to be really prepared for the new season, I can spread them in a neat row and spaced properly on long strips of newspaper to fit the length of the beds. When it is time for planting, I can simply plant the strips and lightly cover them with soil. Maybe one day when I have the luxury of additional time to spread and space the seeds, I can do that.

Yellow sultana tomato seeds

For now, I just plant them en masse and thin them out into their beds when the seedlings are big enough.

Pink plum tomato seeds

I feel that I am slowly but surely moving towards gardening self-sufficiency. Completing the cycle of planting, harvesting and seed production, ensuring that with the assistance of the bees I always have healthy organic seeds.

Rattlesnake, Mexican Black, Yard Long beans and Thai Gold baby corn

I do not know which seed producers to trust to have non GMO seeds, but I do at least know the history of my own garden’s seeds.

Harvesting fresh vegetables is the best but I always leave some to go to seed. This way I will always have seeds for another season.

Related posts:

Harvesting Mexican Black Beans

A Basket of Beans

Rattlesnake and Yard Long Beans

Rainbow Tomatoes

Colourful Harvest

Frozen Sunshine