Brother (or sister), Can You Spare a Seed?

 Saving seeds is so rewarding.

It's fueled by my need to be thrifty and not waste resources.

But most of the desire to apply this practice is driven by

the idea of realizing that one isn't dependent

on others to enhance the garden.

The bonus is sharing what is saved,

so others can enjoy your bounty.

Saving heirlooms is a noble gesture.

Handing down generations of seed seems comforting.

There's just something about knowing that the vegetables

grown today are not modified in some chemical way.

We can eat the same tomatoes that our grandmothers grew.

Links to our past are a wonderful thing to pass on.

The activity is relaxing and inspiring at the same time.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily God provides

for us in each beautifully wrapped package.

Here are one of my favorites, zinnias.

I just let them dry on the stem and then pick the buds.

Outside for a day or two is all it takes to help these seeds

come right off the bud and into an awaiting bag or jar.

Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow,

even in our hot summers,

and there are an endless variety

of sizes and color combinations.

The start of something good...

This many seeds from just a few flowers. 

I think this is an allium.

This is the first time I've grown these.

The flowers fade drastically when dried.

Here's the way they look when they are in full bloom.

So many vibrant shades from one planting.

These are in the butterfly garden.

These seeds are almost pitch black. 

The seed head dries on the stalk once they've bloomed

and they are there for the pickin'.

They are paper-thin.

It's a wonder to think that in these delicate slivers

lie new beauty and life.

You wouldn't expect something so dramatic

to come from a seed like that, now would you?

So much of what we learn in the garden applies to life.

Mother Nature is generous in Her lessons.