Saving Seeds for Tomorrow

Lately, most of my blog posts have been about things that inspire me and I could write from this place forever, BUT I don't want to give you the wrong impression about my homestead. Behind every inspiring moment there is a ton of work going on. I don't know about you but I'm a list maker. I make lists every morning of the things I want to accomplish inside the house, with our children, out in the community and  in our garden. Each night, I fall into bed exhausted after a day of trying to finish everything.

As a gardener, nature shows us how to live our life. After the fertile seasons of Spring and Summer, thankfully Fall comes as our season to reap our harvest. A season to be grateful. Then Winter arrives blanketing us with time to rest and reflect.                          

 
When I planted our garden last May, I did so half-heartedly (is that a word?) It describes a person who doesn't put 100% of their effort into a project and that was certainly me last spring. I wanted to grow food, flowers, and herbs, but my heart was out in the country. Out at the Christmas tree farm I wanted to buy.

Last May, D and I were working like crazy people trying to get our house de-cluttered, repairs performed, and the everything cleaned really well so we could list the house. When it came to the garden, I took one weekend, cleaned up the beds, amended the soil and planted my seeds and plants. I didn't put everything I wanted in, nor did I take the time to space things properly. Case in point, I planted the corn far too close and never got back to thinning it so I basically had nothing of any consequence to harvest. (Big disappointment for my daughter Alyssa who could eat corn every day)

Despite my lack of planning, most of our garden flourished. As you know from one of my blog posts, I even had unexpected cantaloupe growing, though I hadn't knowingly planted any seeds. Surprises from the garden are lovely.

Another distraction from my garden was my focus on our oldest daughter, Alyssa, who graduated from University last Spring and then was consumed with upcoming plans to go overseas to begin her teaching career in the U.K. As if that weren't enough, our third oldest child, Mitchell, graduated from high school and we were caught up in all that event entails. Oh, and I almost forgot, I was extremely fortunate to have an 8 week full time job at a local garden centre. I LOVED it but my own garden suffered.

During last Spring and Summer, I may not have consciously realized it at the time but I was preparing the ground and planting the seeds so our older children could take off and bloom. As fall arrives, I'm happy to see some of that harvest as well, since they  have been sharing stories of  their respective adventures, experiences and inevitable growth.
 Seeds are magical.                     

This last week, I have been busy harvesting the last of our vegetables, clipping and hanging my herbs to dry, and saving all sorts of seeds. Since this is a crucial job in becoming sustainable, I thought I would share a few tips on how to save tomato seeds which is a bit messy but very rewarding. It always amazes me that from one plant we can obtain ALL the seeds we need to grow enough plants to feed our family next year.

With frost on our doorstep, this is probably the last of my tomato harvest

Saving tomato seeds is a snap. Choose the tomatoes that you think are the nicest specimens.

Find jars and label them with the tomato seed variety you plan to put inside. Today, I chose my larger tomatoes, my Romas, perfect for sauces and my cherry tomatoes, which the little girls like to pop into their mouths. I have also saved seeds from my Ox Heart and Mortgage Lifters (heritage) from another harvest. This is an on going process as I pick our produce and stay on top of plants going to seed.

Next, cut the tomato or if it's really ripe, you can squeeze it and let all the seeds drip into your jar.

Once you have the seeds inside the jar, add a 1/2- 1 cup of water to the contents and put a lid on the jar, or a piece of wax paper  or cotton with an elastic band around the rim. Note, as the tomato seeds ferment, it will really smell.

Then let it sit for a few days until you see some moldy residue forming on the top. You can usually tell from the smell when it's time to remove the seeds. It will be really smelly.

 

Fill the jar with clean water and let all the moldy residue etc run off. The fertile seeds will drift down to the bottom of the jar. When you have removed the debris, grab a strainer and collect the seeds that moved to the bottom of the jar.

 

 Then tap all the seeds onto a plate. (I use paper plates...see above)

     or you can use a coffee filter.

Set the paper plate/coffee filter in a place that can sit undisturbed until the seeds are totally dry. Once dry, put the seeds into little envelopes with the tomato variety written on the outside.

Some people put the seeds in the freezer but I find keeping the seeds in a cool, dark place works great. I put them in a box and keep them in my laundry room.

I was reading an article in our paper today where our local library is starting a seed lending library. It's very simple, you check out seeds, record what you have taken and then replace the seeds after harvest the following year. I LOVED that idea and will be checking out the seed lending library to find some more heritage varieties to grow and share what I have collected. Our library also has some great books, (see below)


                                                       

on learning how to save seeds. This is a wonderful way to become more sustainable and I find it interesting and fun as well. When I'm out in the garden, I always feel like I'm in the midst of a  science experiment. From a social aspect, I feel like I'm contributing in some small way to feeding the world.

Well that's it blogger friends. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a season of dreaming, a season of rest. Before I know it, I will be planting seeds for our next year's crop.

 

 But not quite yet.

Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.

Blessings from Hope