First things first! For those of you interested in gardening with seeds need to know some basics. Seed plants fall into two main groups; angiosperms and gymnosperms. Gymnosperms do not have flowers. Their seeds are carried away from the parent plant by animals, birds, insects, water, and wind. Angiosperms are flowering plants. Their seeds are formed and developed inside a female reproductive part of the flower, which usually ripens into a fruit. But don't worry, you can have seeds of almost any plant you desire.
Now, you must be wondering how to get free seeds. The following are 5 easy ways to get free seeds for your garden.
Seed Saving
Yes, we saved the best for the last. If you are one of those who doesn't like asking for seeds, there is another option for you. Like many, you too buy vegetables from the market. Why not save the seeds from the vegetables that you have already paid for? So, the next time you cut your vegetables, scoop those seeds out from your favorite vegetables and save them to grow later. Here are some easy ways.
Tomatoes and Cucumbers
The seeds of tomatoes and cucumbers are enveloped by a gel-like quoting, to enable them to germinate and prevent them from rotting, and to give them a better shelf-life so that they can last a little longer.
➤ Carefully scoop out the seeds into a container.
➤ Add enough water and place the container in a warm spot, out of direct sunlight.
➤ Stir the contents once a day.
➤ Carefully change the water everyday. Let the floating debris wash way.
➤ Wait for a few more days for the good seeds to drop, and then rinse away the top, clearing it of any debris.
➤ In a couple of days, you will have some seeds at the bottom.
➤ Spread the seeds on a non-stick surface and allow them to dry for a few days.
➤ Place this in a warm, dry place, until the seeds are fully dry.
➤ To store the seeds, choose an airtight container and a cool, dark place, like your refrigerator. This will simulate a winter climate. But remember not place the seeds in the freezer.
➤ When you wish to use them, simply place some cotton in egg containers. Place a few seeds in each and water them drop by drop, till they begin to germinate. Place the egg containers in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Then shift them to smaller containers, and as the plant grows, find a better and permanent place for them to fruit.
Peppers
➤ Cut open a pepper, exposing the seeds.
➤ Be careful not to touch the seeds with your bare hands. It can cause itching and burning.
➤ Brush the seeds off the stem.
➤ Keep the seeds aside to dry.
➤ You can store them in air-tight container, in a cool and dry area.
Squashes
➤ Choose a well-ripened squash, break it open, and remove the seeds.
➤ Hold the seeds under running water, and lightly rub them between your fingers to remove any debris.
➤ Then lay them out to dry.
➤ Store them in airtight container in a cool and dry area.
Melons
In cantaloupe and muskmelon, the seeds will have a membrane attached to them.
➤ Wash off the membrane, and lightly rub the seeds to remove any debris.
➤ For watermelons, simply rinse the seeds under running water to remove all traces of flesh.
➤ Then lay them out to dry.
➤ Store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry area.
Peas & Beans
➤ Pick only the brown pods from the vines, and remove the peas and beans from their pods.
➤ Place them in a dish and leave them out to dry.
➤ Move them around at least once a day.
➤ Bean, can be stored in cardboard canisters.
Radish and Lettuce
Radishes and lettuce also produce seeds in pods. This happens after the plant has flowered. With these vegetables, it would be best to let the pods dry on the plant. The dry ones are prone to bursting and spreading their seeds around.
➤ It is best advised to put a paper bag on the seed heads and tie it to the base.
➤ Or you could just pick the dry pods off the ground.
➤ Store the seeds in airtight containers in a cool and dry area.
Now you know a few great ways how to get vegetable seeds for free. Remember, making deals online does carry a risk of fraud. So, be wise and careful while dealing with random offers.