Seed Saving - How to Save Money in an Organic Garden
How can we make sure that all the seed we sow in our organic gardens will germinate and give us plants? Wise gardeners store their seed, year after year, especially rare heirloom seeds. Of course, seed saving also saves money. But old seed often disappoints. If in doubt about old seed, it's always wise to pre-germinate a test sample. Soak ten seeds overnight and lay them on damp kitchen paper in a warm place in a plastic bag. After a few days, count what percentage are showing signs of life. To do this scientifically you should use at least 100 seeds. But that might be your entire supply! Ten is good enough as a rough guide. Don't waste the seed that germinates, of course. Sink it in a pot of weak compost, with its growing tip just visible, and water - ideally - with diluted kelp solution. Kelp is a great help to any young seedling. If only 20% of your soaked seeds show life you'll know that - if you plant five seeds from your remaining supply in every module - there's...