Thursday, May 5, 2011

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.

4 comments:

  1. Hey Daisy...I knew those black seeds looked familiar. That pink allium is quite pretty. I've started more flowering plants from seeds this spring. My milkweed seedpods are bursting open and I'm planning on planting a bunch of them. It's nice to utilize what the garden provides.

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  2. Susan-Yes, I am always happy to see things sprouting up! Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. I love seeing your amaryllis growing outside! I have a plant inside that I pollinated the flowers, so I have little amaryllis seeds to grow too :) great photos!! You have a great mother's day weekend too :)
    Katy

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  4. Enjoy growing your amaryllis Katy!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts!