As you know, taking care of gardens doesn't stop at your property line. Everything in nature is intrinsically connected. If you don't care for the plants and animals in your area, you're indirectly endangering your own plants. It is for this reason that many people are trying to conserve both plants (heirloomand organic) and animals (endangered species).
Today I'd like to highlight the Official Reptile of the State of Alabama.
Photograph by Bob Moul 2007
The Alabama Red-belly Turtle has been on the endangered species list since 1987 and was adopted as the state reptile since 1990. These beautiful turtles reside mainly in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, but they can also be found along the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Check the map from US Fish and Wildlife Services below and find out what other species are endangered in your state here).
The most distressing part of this creature's plight is that it is man-made. For the Alabama Red-belly, the number one cause of death is automobiles. That's right, even with all of the alligators, herons, feral hogs, fish crows, and raccoons out there preying on the hatchlings, more of these turtles are killed by our own cars than anything else.
The next time you're down on the bay and you see one of our friends trying to cross the road, stop the car and help them out. I promise you'll feel great for the rest of the day!
You've worked hard this summer and you've had some beautiful and delicious plants because of it. Don't let all of that work go to waste! Take steps now to harvest and save your seeds for next year. Not only is it a great way to be more involved in your garden (and allow you, if you're brave, to try and create your own varieties), but it will also save you money on seeds next go 'round.
Saving seeds is especially important if you're growing heirloom fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Heirloom plants are growing ever closer to extinction and by you saving (and hopefully sharing) your seeds, you can personally keep that from happening. Some of the varieties we have today have been saved from extinction by single families! You may not feel like a hero, but you can be one by planting, harvesting, and sharing heirloom seeds.
Not all seeds were created equal, so some of them require special care, but for the most part basic steps are the same. Be sure to check one of the guides below before harvesting your seeds. We don't want you to waste your time and not do it properly.
The Basics:
Cut open the vegetable or fruit.
Remove the seeds.
If the seeds are large enough, clean them with water in a colander or a wire mesh sieve. If they are very small (like tomato seeds), you may need to soak the seeds in water for a few days first, to discourage bacteria. The goal is to remove all plant matter that is not part of the seed.
After the plant matter has been removed, dry the seeds in a towel, paper towel, or on a paper plate for a few days until they are dry.
Put the dry seeds into a paper container (like the ones you would receive seeds in when you purchase them). Label the container with the type of seed and the date. After seeds are more than one year old, the yield rate drops drastically and you'll have to use many more seeds to achieve the same results.
Finally, put the seeds into the freezer or refrigerator. You need to keep them dry and cold.
Watch this great video from Cliff Middleton about how to save tomato seeds:
Tips!
Don't save hybrids! Hybrids are unpredictable and you don't know what you'll get the next year. To be safe, use only heirloom seeds.
Save seeds from plants that are ripe, but not overly so. If the plant is over-ripe, the seeds may already be germinating. If the plants are not ripe enough, the seeds won't be ready.
Choose the absolute best-of-the-best from your garden to save. These are the ones whose qualities you'll want to pass on to the next generation. If you pass on eating it now, you'll have even better ones to eat next time.
If the plant has suffered blight or any other wilting disease and has survived and produced a beautiful fruit or vegetable, it's okay to save seeds from that plant. Don't worry, nature is tough!
I don't know if anyone told you, but the Siam tulips have been blooming like crazy this year and that is such a wonderful thing!
from 123rf.com
Siam Tulips, scientifically named Curcuma alismatifolia, are not actually related to the tulip. They're actually a type of ginger and are fairly close to turmeric.
from beechwoodlandscape.blogspot.com
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Monocots
(unranked):Commelinids
Order:Zingiberales
Family:Zingiberaceae
Genus:Curcuma
Species:C. alismatifolia
This ginger can stand the Gulf Coast heat and, if cared for properly,
will come back on its own year after year.
Because of that, and the breathtaking blooms,
we highly recommend this ginger variety for your garden.
