On 25th February 2017, after a break over summer we returned to Seed Savers with an empty greenhouse to fill! We planted 35 varieties of seeds into seed raising trays and propagated lavender and Marjoram.
The vegetable seeds we planted were Amaranth, Beetroot, Bok Choy, 4 types of Broccoli, 7 types of Cabbage, Choy Sum, Fennel, 6 types of lettuce, Mustard leaf, Onions, Salsify, Skullora and Tat Soi.
The herb seeds planted were Chives and Parsley, and some flowers Marigold and Aquilegia (Granny’s Bonnet) for the bees.
Once we enjoyed a delicious morning tea we tackled seed harvesting from a variety of plants including Aubergine, Poona Keera cucumber and UFO Scallopini squash. Members brought in produce they had let go to seed and seeds they had collected to return to the club. The Green Globe Artichoke had very tough seeds to remove and gloves were needed! We learned to identify which cucumber and squash seeds were too immature to collect as they were thin and pale. The squash was bigger than my hand, but needs to be much bigger and left on the plant until May! Those seeds were not ready.
The cucumber was massive. The seeds were washed and will now be dried for storing until Spring. It’s important to label all plants carefully with the variety when planting out, and to collect the seeds at the end of their life to continue the circle. We are all learning how to collect seeds and are slowly getting more confident to do this at home ourselves.
Members took home some seeds that needed to be planted directly into the soil- Broad beans, radish, onion and carrots. Seeds are available for sale, 3 packs for $1, at our monthly meeting 1st Monday of the month Wentworthville Community Centre.
Seedsavers meets 9am-1pm on the 4th Saturday of each month at Bidjiwong Community Nursery, Baulkham Hills. All welcome.
Happy Gardening!
Penny