Martha-stlye solution for seed saving

Hubby complained during the winter, that our house was always cluttered with "seeds everywhere...cups and assorted containers of seeds & pods stuck all over the place...".

I knew he was right, and that it did look kinda messy, but didn't really know how to fix it. I thought to myself...what would MARTA do?, lol...SHE wouldn't stop saving seeds just because it didn't look good...she'd make it look good!

I thought about it, and this is what I came up with. Hubby is very pleased...and so am I!

The rack was from Target(they have really similar unfinished ones at craft stores) and the baggies came from the craft store, too.
99 cents each...they contain even the tiniest seeds, but still allow the seeds/pods to air dry.

Wow, what a great idea...I think Martha would be jealous that she didn't think of it. As a newbie, I can't wait until next year when I hopefully will have this problem. I am so excited about winter sowing, I can hardly wait.

What a lovely fall decoration (or any time of the year!). I love it! I second sheshe, as I hope to be doing that kind of thing a LOT next year :) Beautiful job well done seedpicker.

~Sunny

Thank you!

Winter sowing is a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Sunny-
Thank you!
That is so sweet of you.

I already need a longer rack, though, lol...I intended to just hang one bag per peg, but am filling it very quickly, now that it is Fall.

The racks with 8 pegs are only around $10. Just need to make another trip to the craft store...
-T

You could even tie different colored ribbons around them to match each holiday. Thats what Martha would do. lol

cg

Wow Martha! I'm impressed. My seeds are sitting all over the place on paper plates right now and don't look nearly that good. Guess i will take a run to the craft store.

Susan

Ah, yes...paperplates of seeds...my old favorite!, lol..

That is exactly what I used to have on every countertop and flat surface in the house, lol...and dixie cups, and...

Susan-
If you make one, please post here...I wanna see! Ü

-T

This message was edited Oct 7, 2006 11:59 AM

I'm into those thick paper bowls of seeds these days myself--lol
Now I have them tucked into a revolving CD rack--but not near as pretty as your idea Taylor. In fall the seed saving does sort of take on a life of its own, no? Sure wish they didn't have to air dry!
=)

Deb-
Well, a revolving cd rack is certainly more organized than I ever used to be with my seeds, ...thus all the complaints from hubby, lol... Ü

They are still in paper plate bowls--its really not a pretty sight! Plus now all the CD's are stacked all around the house. I think I just constantly arrange and rearrange the gardening paraphanalia around the house....you too?

I must admit when nongardeners (and most of the people I know are nongardeners) come over they just sort of look around the living room and shake their heads.....

I can certainly relate. But, that is why I tried to come up with something.

I didn't want it to look cluttery any more. Now, we're both happy.
-T

That's really cute! I was just thinking I could go to Michael's craft store and buy and unfinished wood plaque (they have them in all sorts of shapes and sizes), paint it however I want and buy a pack of cup hooks from WalMart and try that. It will satisfy my innner crafter even though my outer crafter is pretty talentless:LOL: I've even seen those tulle drawstring bags in pretty colors for wedding and such. Great idea!
I have the same thing with the paperplates and such around the house. Looks messy and weird and I have to keep the felines out of them.

I was wondering, does anyone use those little dessicant packs like you find in boxes of shoes or in the bottoms of purses? I work in retail and got it in my head to save them. I've got quite a bunch and we're coming into glove season and I'll end up with plenty more if anyone would like some. Just let me know. I think they would be good for wicking away moisture if your seeds are on the damp side. Just a thought=)
Donna

Donna-
I used to save those, too, and still do. I save them out of my vitamin & ibuprophen bottles, as well as out of shoe boxes.

I use them when I transfer seeds into a plastic bag(after they've dried)...just to be really sure they are all the way dry. The packets serve as insurance, just in case I got impatient, lol...

Yes, those little baggies come in different colors and different sizes. I just went with plain white, but I think you could get really creative with the colors of both the bags, and the racks.

-T

Your seed rack is really nice, sorta reminds me of herb bundles hanging upside down to dry. I love that:)

It looks beautiful, like potpourri! And one of those bags looks like it's holding cinnamon sticks! Mmmm...

So, does this mean that you don't have to refrigerate seeds to keep them viable? I was worried about that, since a room of my house is also full of containers and things holding seeds...

~Gina

This is just me but I don't refrigerate most of my seeds. I try to keep them in a cool,dry, dark place and not fuss with them until its time. There are a few types that call for cold treatment like delphiniums or lilies that I will refrigerate but not too many.
I have an upstairs spare room that is drafty in the winter and I stick my seed box in the closet up there.

Seedpicker --

Veddy nice looking! I believe I shall duplicate your idea and call it my own! LOL!

Suzy

dmac-
that is sort of where I got the idea, I guess, but the trouble with just hanging them in bundles, upside down, is that you end up with seeds on the floor.

Some pods burst open when dry & would scatter the seeds all over the room, or poppy seeds spill out when upside down, etc. If you put paper bags on your bundles, then you can't see them, anymore, and it takes away from the look. Then they don't look pretty, anymore, lol...

The baggie contains the seeds, so they stay put. Also, the drawstring loops are a much faster way to hang the bundles, than tying with string, or ribbon.

I just thought this way you get the old-fashioned look of drying bundles, but don't lose your seeds.

Gina- dmac said it...you only need to refrigerate seeds that require a cold spell to germinate. Most seeds can be stored cool and dry. Heat can lessen their viability, so you just don't want to store them in a really warm, or hot room...or damp.

Suzy-
what is that old expression? "copying is best form of flattery''?, lol...Copy away! Ü