Here is a link to my column in today's edition of The Spokesman-Review: Saving seeds an easy way to save money. This one is about a topic I'm very excited about: saving seeds. It's a valuable skills all gardeners should have although I'm embarrassed to say it's not something I've had much experience in.
Fortunately, I've gone to a class on seed-saving plus have done some research so I'm ready to dive in! So far, I've saved seeds from an heirloom tomato variety I've grown this summer, 'Amish Paste - Kapuler'.
The important thing to remember is that you need to save seeds from open-pollinated plants. If you save seeds from hybrids, you won't know what you're going to get because the plants won't reflect the parents you saved the seeds from. I explain this in my column, so be sure to read it.
Also, if you are interested in learning more about saving seeds, I'm happy to report there are be two free classes coming up at the Otis Orchards Library. What a great opportunity! Here are the details:
Steven Nokes will give two presentations on saving seeds: 6:30 p.m. Wed. Sept. 9, and 10:30 a.m. Sat. Sept. 12. Both programs will be at the Otis Orchards library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. Free. More info: (509) 893-8390.
Susan, I have a question unrelated to this post, but in reference to the Cotton Candy Grass you pinned on Pinterest. How is it different from Pink Muhly Grass? Tower nursery talked me out of the muhly grass because of our zone 5, however, they sell it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I follow you on Pinterest and use your blog as a garden textbook!
ReplyDeleteHi, Annie. I apologize for the very slow reply but have been out of town. First of all, thanks so much for the compliment! I'm glad you are enjoying my blog and Pinterest pages. To answer your question, Cotton Candy grass and Pink Muhly grass are one and the same. You can find more information on it in my book, "Northwest Gardener's Handbook." Here's a link to information on it: http://susansinthegarden.blogspot.com/p/books.html.
DeleteThank you, Susan. I plan to give Cotton Candy grass a go come spring. Wispy foliage always interests me, as in the flowers of Smoke Tree and Tamarisk and White Fringe Tree, all of which I am adding in the spring because - hallelujah - a deer fence is going up next week. Having lived with deer on my property for so many years, I am used to losing plants, but, I think, in a protected area, it will have a good chance of surviving.
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