Saving Seeds: Thinking about the future.
This year, our 3rd grade class is growing lots of plants. This week's lesson is on how to save seeds. This is especially important in maintaining the grow cycle, as we will see shortly.
A seed is a the method a plant has to replicate itself and reproduce. The plant grows, forms a flower, the flower is pollinated and a fruit is formed. In the center of that fruit is a seed or multiple seeds and the cycle goes on and on.
Pretty simple, right?
This year our students are focusing on tomatoes. Let's look at how to save the seeds. The seeds they
are learning to save now are going to go to Haiti and the building of next year's garden. We need to make sure that these kids are thinking about the future and because we have far more tomatoes than we can plant right now, let's look at how to get them to others who want and need them.
First, find a tomato varietal you like and cut it open. We are using the Roma varietal or type of tomato because it is one of the most useful kinds of tomato. It has a low moisture content and a rich fleshy interior. Basically, as far as fruit goes, you get more bang for your buck. They are used in all sorts of things that seek a rich tomato-y taste like ketchup, salsa, tomato paste, etc.
When you cut one open, you will see a lot of seeds. Each of these seeds should be true to type, meaning that each seed will produce a plant that will produce seeds that are exactly like itself, and so on and so on.
Scrape the seeds from fruit and place them in some water.
This part is up to you. Many people will take a few days to allow the seeds to soak in water. This will cause the sugars to ferment in the container and separate the gel that surrounds the seeds from the seed itself. If you let this happen it will make it easier to strain the seeds in the next step. If you don't have the time, but do have some water pressure, you can just hose them off through the sieve.
If you choose to wait, then wait for two days and pour the seeds and the entire mixture through a sieve that is small enough to strain the seeds out. The seeds should separate pretty easily.
Next, pat the seeds dry as much as possible and then allow to dry completely. Drying them quickly prevents mold and prevents them from sprouting. Once they are completely dry, store them in a dry bag or container and just wait until you are ready to plant. The seeds should remain viable for one or maybe two years just waiting to go into the ground.
We have a plan for our seeds. We are currently building a library for the Sun and Rain garden and next year's fourth grade class will be able to send seeds to third grade classes all over the country.
Want to help?
Send us an email at thelifecooperative@gmail.com
or
A seed is a the method a plant has to replicate itself and reproduce. The plant grows, forms a flower, the flower is pollinated and a fruit is formed. In the center of that fruit is a seed or multiple seeds and the cycle goes on and on.
Pretty simple, right?This year our students are focusing on tomatoes. Let's look at how to save the seeds. The seeds they
are learning to save now are going to go to Haiti and the building of next year's garden. We need to make sure that these kids are thinking about the future and because we have far more tomatoes than we can plant right now, let's look at how to get them to others who want and need them.
When you cut one open, you will see a lot of seeds. Each of these seeds should be true to type, meaning that each seed will produce a plant that will produce seeds that are exactly like itself, and so on and so on.
Scrape the seeds from fruit and place them in some water.
If you choose to wait, then wait for two days and pour the seeds and the entire mixture through a sieve that is small enough to strain the seeds out. The seeds should separate pretty easily.
We have a plan for our seeds. We are currently building a library for the Sun and Rain garden and next year's fourth grade class will be able to send seeds to third grade classes all over the country.
Want to help?
Send us an email at thelifecooperative@gmail.com
or
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