Understanding Free Seeds

Compared to the overall cost of gardening, seed is really a bargain. But why pay for them when they are all around you for free? If you have plants, you have seeds. You should know, however, that seeds from hybrid plants don't produce plants just like their parents. Hybrids are the result of cross-fertilization between two or more species. Open-pollinated plants, on the other hand, are fertilized naturally"in the open"and are likely to produce offspring similar to the parent plant. If you plan to collect seed for future seasons' plantings, you will have better results if you choose seeds or plants that are labelled "open-pollinated" or ''OP" in a catalog or nursery.

The seed-saving process is simple and basically the same for all seed-bearing plants.

Annuals are the easiest plants from which to collect seed. Start with them if you are new to the practice. Many perennials are also easy to propagate from seed. Since biennials don't flower or set seed until their second year, they may require protection over the winter to stay alive long enough to yield seed.

Step 1: Let one or more plants of a chosen variety go to seed. First the plant must flower, then fruit, such as a tomato, pea-pod, rose-hip, apple, or seed head will form. Leave on the plant until it is past ripe or about to fall off.

Step 2: Pick fruit or seed head. Remove seeds.

Step 3: Dry seeds thoroughly before packaging in envelopes or airtight containers.

Step 4: Label and store seeds in a cool, dry place.

Step 5: When ready to use, test seeds for germination.

Step 6: Sow.

Guide for Planting Perennials

Perennials are flowering plants that are meant to last — several years, at least, and sometimes much longer. So ideally, they’re a wise and practical “one-time investment,” unlike the annuals you have to buy and replant every year; therein lies their great appeal and value.
Yes, you may have detected a note of hedging. Perhaps you’ve even heard the old gardener’s joke: “A perennial is a plant that had it lived, would’ve bloomed year after year.” After you go to the effort of acquainting yourself with handsome perennials and bringing them home, you sure don’t want them to totally miss the boat and turn out to be expensive annuals!
Don’t worry. Get your perennials off on the right foot and give them the care they need to thrive (it’s perfectly easy), and you won’t be disappointed; you’ll be thrilled.