Seed Saving
- Library Zest Team
- Oct 7, 2020
- 3 min read
There is something especially satisfying about growing one's own pumpkins—about growing one's own anything for that matter. We have some beautiful pumpkins growing in the community garden outside of the Angus Library and they remind me of the sheer marvel of the whole process. As Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn"—isn't it wonderful how something so small can become so much more? Not just gourds and trees, but ideas and hopes as well. If cultivated, these too can become so much more, which is why it matters so genuinely which thoughts and intentions (however seemingly small) we choose to cultivate within ourselves. There are countless examples of how the small seed of an idea grew into something greater—in one example, Neil Gaiman's Coraline was borne out of the fear he felt at having to go back to the site of a mass-hornet attack to retrieve his fallen glasses, and the subsequent knowledge that he could overcome this fear and find in himself the bravery to do it: to go back. From small beginnings, great things can become. All this can be gleaned from the humble pumpkin.
"A man is what he thinks about all day long."
(also Ralph Waldo Emerson—funnily enough)
As much as I love visiting the pumpkin patch (or any trip to 'the farm'), I've decided that next October, I want to harvest my own pumpkins. It'll be just like having a real Cinderella's garden in my own backyard and what could be better than that? One way to do it is to buy seeds when planting season comes around and take it from there. Another way (and the way I intend to try) is to save the seeds from my pumpkins this year and to use the saved seeds to grow pumpkins that will be ready to be harvested next October. But how to start?
Some cursory research reveals that the process is actually fairly simple—the trick is to dry out the seeds properly so that they don't go mouldy in the interim.
Place pumpkin seeds on a dry towel, spread out so that no two seeds are touching (I've had plenty of practice with physical distancing at this point, so that part should be easy!)
Let the seeds dry for a week or so
Place the seeds in an envelope and save them until the end of May (or as late as mid-June) for planting
Pumpkins are not the only seeds that can be saved, naturally! Especially if you're an avid gardener, you'll know that everything from your tomatoes and peppers to your squashes and strawberries can yield the seeds that will grow the next generation. According to my research, pulpier produce (like the noble tomato) does tend to be more difficult to work with owing to the importance of properly drying out the seeds before storing them, but with a little practice and a heap of patience, all things are possible, aren't they? After all, people have been saving seeds for twelve thousand years—why not us?
If you've borrowed from (or would like to contribute to) our seed library, the time is ripe to save your seeds! If you haven't heard of our seed library, it really is wonderful. When planting season comes around, you can 'check out' packets of seeds using your library card just as you would if you were checking out a movie or a book. There are no penalties if your plants don't make it (but we always have hopes)! Should your garden be successful, we do love to see some of the new seeds come back so that we can keep our seed library flourishing from year to year. It's a great way to get involved and to be part of a healthy community of growers and dreamers. If you'd like to bring in harvested seeds for the library, the two main things to remember are:
Ensure that the seeds are fully dried (no moist seeds)
Please label the packet or envelope with the type of seed so that we can remember what kind is inside when we ready them for community borrowing
Below is one video to help with seed saving and one about making your own seed envelopes (great for reusing scrap paper, with the used side on the inside with the seeds):
Seed Saving
How to Make Your Own Seed Packets
(folding instructions)
And of course, be sure to also check out some of the terrific and informative videos in the seed library section of our website: Essa Public Library, SEED LIBRARY. Finally, many thanks to Dawn from the library for her expertise which informed some of the content of this article (thanks, Dawn!).
Until next time, stay safe and be happy.
—Victoria Murgante
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