Successful Seed Selection, Saving, and Storage

A successful garden starts with a tiny seed, but selection, saving, and storing these seeds correctly can be much more complicated, and oftentimes overwhelming. This guide will introduce the different seed types and explain effective techniques for saving and storing until they are ready to be planted in the soil.

Types of Seeds

When selecting which type of seeds to plant it is important to understand the different methods of producing the seeds. 

GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) seeds have been genetically engineered to    introduce specific traits, such as pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. While they offer certain advantages, their long-term environmental and health implications are subjects of ongoing debate. GM seeds are not likely to be found in your home garden because no one sells genetically engineered seeds to home gardeners. GMO crops are expensive, and commercial farmers are required to sign a contract that protects the patented technology. These companies do not sell GM crops to the home garden market or to garden centers.

Hybrid seeds are produced by crossing plants of the same species. Hybrid seeds will potentially have the most desirable attributes of each variety, but they will not remain true to the parent line and therefore are not recommended for seed saving.

Open-pollinated seeds are produced through natural pollination by insects, wind, humans or other natural means. Open-pollinated varieties are well-suited for seed saving and offer a wider range of flavors, colors, and adaptations to local conditions.

How to Save Seeds
Once the plants have grown and fully matured, it is time to harvest and save the seeds. Different procedures apply whether you are collecting “wet” or “dry” seeds. 

Plants with wet seeds include tomato, eggplant, cucumber, melon, squash and pumpkin. These seeds need to be harvested when fruit is ripe and then processed to remove wet pulp or coatings. In order to do this, scoop the seeds out of fully ripe fruit and put them in a glass jar filled with water. Stir the mixture a couple of times a day. The mixture will ferment and viable seeds will sink to the bottom. Finally, pour out the liquid, rinse the seeds and set them out to dry. 

Dry seeds are much easier to save, remove any dirt or debris and spread them out to dry completely. Some of the easiest seeds to save are peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and arugula. Always remember to harvest from the healthiest plant with the most desired traits.

Storing Seeds
Store seeds in airtight containers in a cool, dark, and dry location to prevent moisture and oxygen from entering. Label each container with the seed variety, harvest date, and germination rate. Optimal storage conditions for seeds involve low temperatures (around 40°F or 4°C) and low humidity. Avoid exposing seeds to direct sunlight, as this can reduce their viability. It is a good idea to periodically check stored seeds for signs of mold, pests, or deterioration. 

By carefully selecting seeds, you can cultivate resilient and productive gardens in the Treasure Valley. Saving and storing open-pollinated seeds is a rewarding and useful way to contribute economically and sustainably to maintaining your garden.

It's Almost Time to Fertilize your Houseplants!

Plants require seventeen essential nutrients with 
the three main nutrients being Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Fertilizers are available in a variety of forms including organic, liquid, as well as slow release granular, and spikes. The faster a plant grows, the more it will need to be fertilized. 

Here's a short video about easy fertilizing of indoor plants.

Fertilizers come in a variety of formulations and ratios. Liquid fertilizers for house plants are often lower in concentrations, and will require more regular application. Time release fertilizers are available as a spike or pellets and only need applying once every few months.  Whatever type of fertilizing routine you choose to use, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

philodendron, pothos

This link will show you the best ways to fertilize, how to select the best ratios to look for in a product, and the best time of year to fertilize your house plants for the best results.

If you are still struggling with your houseplants after that then, contact your local University of Idaho Extension Office.

Harnessing Technology for a Smarter Garden: Tips for Modern Green Thumbs

Gardening, often viewed as a traditional and hands-on activity, is now experiencing a transformation with the help of innovative technology. From advanced sensors to smartphone apps, technology in the garden is making it easier for gardeners to maintain thriving plants and lush landscapes. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting, here are some of the ways you can integrate technology to create a smart, efficient garden.

Smart Irrigation Systems: Efficient Watering

One of the biggest challenges for any gardener is watering plants adequately. Overwatering or underwatering can damage plant health, and manual watering schedules are often hard to maintain. Smart irrigation systems use soil moisture sensors, weather data, and even historical climate information to regulate water delivery automatically.

Smart sprinklers, such as Rachio, RainMachine,or B-hyve, connect to your smartphone and adjust watering schedules based on weather forecasts. If rain is expected, they pause the system; if there is a heatwave, they adjust to keep the plants hydrated. These systems help save water, lower utility bills, and keep your plants at peak health, reducing the need for replacements later.

Soil Sensors: Real-Time Insights into Soil Health

Healthy soil is the foundation of a vibrant garden. Soil sensors provide real-time data on moisture levels, temperature, and nutrient content, helping gardeners understand their soil's condition. Gadgets like the Xiaomi Mi Plant Sensor connect to your phone and offer alerts or advice when plants need water, fertilization, or a temperature adjustment.

These insights are particularly helpful for container gardening or plants with specific needs. Knowing exact conditions eliminates guesswork, resulting in healthier plants and fewer challenges for gardeners.

Gardening Apps: Information and Guidance at Your Fingertips

Gardening apps have evolved from simple plant identification tools to comprehensive garden management systems. Apps such as PlantSnap and PictureThis use image recognition technology to identify plants, while Gardenate and Gardener’s Journal offer tips on planting schedules, tracking plant growth, and setting reminders for watering or fertilizing.

Some apps even provide pest and disease identification, helping users diagnose and treat issues early. By using these resources, you can easily plan your garden layout, get timely reminders, and access tailored care advice.

Automated Lighting: Enhancing Growth Indoors

For those with indoor or greenhouse gardens, LED grow lights controlled by smart systems are a game-changer. These systems simulate the sun’s natural light cycle, providing plants with the light they need even on gloomy days or during winter months.

Using apps or smart plugs, gardeners can set timers, adjust light intensity, and monitor the spectrum to optimize growth for each type of plant. Brands like Philips Hue and GE offer customizable LED grow lights suitable for a range of plants and setups.

Smart Greenhouses: Complete Climate Control

For the ultimate tech-savvy gardener, smart greenhouses offer a controlled environment for year-round growth. Using automated ventilation, humidity control, heating, and irrigation, these greenhouses are ideal for plants that require specific climates. Sensors and systems can be programmed for automatic responses, helping maintain optimal growing conditions.

Many smart greenhouses also connect to mobile apps, allowing gardeners to monitor and adjust conditions remotely. They make it possible to grow anything from tomatoes to exotic plants with ease, regardless of external weather.

Drones and Cameras: Aerial Views and Pest Control

While drones may sound futuristic, they are becoming popular for large gardens or farms, providing aerial views that help spot issues like pest infestations or overwatering in hard-to-reach areas. Gardeners can also use motion-detection cameras to monitor for intruders, such as deer or rabbits, alerting them before significant plant damage occurs.

For larger properties, drones with specialized imaging can identify early signs of plant stress, enabling timely interventions that would be difficult to notice from ground level.

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Technology is opening new doors for gardeners by making it easier to understand, monitor, and maintain their plants. Smart irrigation, soil sensors, gardening apps, and even drones are redefining what is possible in the backyard. For those passionate about growing plants, embracing these tools not only makes gardening more accessible and enjoyable but also promotes healthier plants and more sustainable practices.

With technology by your side, you can be a green thumb in today’s digital world – making gardening a rewarding hobby or even a year-round passion project. Whether it’s a smartphone app or an entire smart greenhouse, there is always a technological solution ready to help you cultivate your garden paradise.

Light Pollution - Effects and Solutions

Have you heard about light pollution and its effect on people, animals, and our beloved yards and gardens? While there is no need to panic, raising your awareness about sensible solutions might just help you and your garden to thrive in the future.

The Effect of Light
The health of plants and ecosystems is reliant on and directly affected by light. The natural, daily flow from day to night slowly changes throughout the year based on the Earth’s rotation around the sun. We call these natural periodic fluctuations in daylight and temperatures, “seasons”. Living things have evolved and adapted to the changes of the seasons based on various environmental factors, like the number of hours of daylight they receive. Summer solstice represents the longest day of the year (and the shortest night). After this day, the length of our days shortens, and nights lengthen as we move away from summer and transition into fall and winter. The reverse happens when we move from winter back to summer. These purposeful light changes cue the plants in our gardens to initiate biochemical changes. For example, garden plants finish forming the seeds, fruits or roots as days get shorter heading into autumn.

Excessive Light
Light pollution refers to the excessive and/or misdirected artificial light produced by humans. In addition to interfering with our body clocks, affecting our sleep patterns, and hiding the beauty of the night sky, it also negatively affects our gardens and trees by creating an illusion of longer days and shorter nights. In the case of our urban trees, especially street trees, the leaves and buds that experience prolonged “daylight” perceive an endless summer. Affected leaves keep on growing, while the leaves farther away from the light source can start to senesce and change colors. The dormancy of landscape trees is greatly affected by high-intensity light sources, such as high-pressure sodium lamps.

Artificial light is extremely harmful to insects, as well. The light attracts insects that don’t normally move from their habitat, disrupting normal flight activity. Moths are one victim of this. Because of these disruptions to insect life in the evening and at night, our pollinators are being affected. Due to habitat loss, these pollinators are already under pressure to perform. We need them so that we can have successful home gardens.

Reduction of Light Pollution
Light pollution is fairly easy to reduce. Simply dimming outdoor lighting or directing it only where needed can make a huge difference. Other solutions include changing the color temperature of outdoor lighting. Warm tones such as amber-colored bulbs are the least harmful. Timers and motion sensors can also help, since they aren’t lighting up except when necessary. Using streetlights that point light only where needed are also a solution that many cities across the world are implementing.

It is estimated that as much as 30% of the electricity generated to turn on our outdoor lights is squandered by being misdirected into the sky. Using the appropriate light type, just when it’s needed, can go a long way towards saving energy and allowing our plants and trees to bud, flower and fruit appropriately.
 
While some light is necessary if we are going to drive our cars and spend time outdoors at night, it has not been proven that more lighting is better. More light causes glare off the road for nighttime driving. Using only the light that we need will be better for the pollinators and for our trees and plants. 

Are Your Deicers Friendly to Plants, Animals, and the Earth?

 While applying products to keep our walkways clear of snow and ice, it’s important to remember the nearby plant life.  Deicing products, primarily composed of salt, can injure plant material, but is there a safer product to use around desirable vegetation? What about around pets? What about the run-off in our rivers and watershed?

• Salts can cause injury to trees, lawns, and shrubs
• Salt run-off can harm our groundwater
• Salts can corrode concrete
• Salts can do bodily harm to humans if handled improperly
• Salts are hard on the little paws of your four-legged friends

So you may be thinking salt is salt, right? No, not all salt is the same. Think table salts (Sodium chloride) and Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate). If you remember your days in chemistry, salts are combinations of negatively charged anions and positively charged cations. Examples are sodium chloride (table salt), potassium chloride (used as a fertilizer), and magnesium chloride (the one you see trucks spraying on our roads). The most problematic element in these salts is chloride, a corrosive ion that damages metal and concrete. Chloride is also toxic to plants.

Salt damages plants by dehydrating plant tissues, causing burns, or being toxic at high levels. While most plants have some tolerance to salt injury, repeated applications of deicing products during the winter can result in dieback or even death the following spring. Misapplications of deicers (i.e. dumping piles or using too much) can leach through the ground and into the water table or wash into the storm sewers, causing pollution. Before buying or using any product, read the label carefully and use only as directed.

Here are a few of the salt products you might run into while shopping:

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
It has low corrosion potential, so it’s less damaging to cars, metals, sidewalks, and plants. Notice it’s not a chloride product, the “salt” comes from the calcium-magnesium mix and the acetate replaces the chloride. Plus, it’s biodegradable! Its ice-melting properties are equivalent to traditional deicers, but the cost may be 20-30 times as expensive as sodium chloride products. These are often touted as “pet friendly”. 

Magnesium chloride
Commonly referred to as “mag chloride”. Applied as a brine, it’s the most common product used on our roadways before storms because it lowers the freezing point of soon-to-arrive precipitation. It can melt ice down to -15° F, which is a nice benefit. If applied in moderate amounts, it’s relatively safe for plants and pets. Its corrosion potential is low, as is its pollutant possibilities.

Potassium chloride
It’s expensive and not as widely used as a deicer because of the rising costs of fertilizer. This works best when temperatures are above 15° F. Because it’s most commonly used as a fertilizer, it’s relatively safe to apply near plants.

Sodium chloride
It’s the most widely available and the cheapest. It doesn’t cause corrosion to concrete and melts ice best when temperatures are in the 20s. It is the most damaging to plant material. If you use this product, use it sparingly and in small amounts!

Before using any de-icing product, clear away as much snow and ice with a shovel as possible. If heavy snow is predicted, then try to shovel more frequently. Remember, deicing products are not meant to melt all snow and ice, but rather aid you in your removal efforts. If you want to avoid adding chemicals to your landscape, then consider using sand or kitty litter. While they don’t melt snow, they can provide traction in slippery spots. Sand and kitty litter are also safe for pets and plants and can be swept up when the snow melts.

If you use deicing products near vegetative areas, then use caution with potential salt build-up and consider a soil test in the spring.  If it’s an especially snowy year, you may consider rinsing the areas next spring with clean water. Try not to scoop snow laced with deicing products directly on top of plants, especially if they are sensitive. If you have the opportunity, consider planting more salt-tolerant plants near walkways and driveways. Here's a great publication on plant tolerance to salts.

For more information about sustainable gardening, contact your local University of Idaho Extension Office.