SEED STORAGE
Many gardeners use the freezer
Q I recently bought new seeds for the year, but my garden is not big and I will not be able to use all the seeds at once. Can I reliably save the extra seeds? How would I store them properly? They are currently being stored in glass containers in the fridge. Also, where can one get good garden hand tools? I am sick of the aluminum or plastic ones that are good for play in a sandbox, but not in our clay soil. Even some of the stainless steel tools are made so poorly that they break on the second day.
A Let’s talk about seed storage first. Freezing is definitely an option. In doing a little research I found that the seed banks around the world all make use of freezing for long-term seed storage.
Here are some things to keep in mind when storing your seeds:
The seeds must be completely ■ dry. Seeds bought from seed companies are normally very dry and would be suitable for freezing. Seeds that you harvest would have to be dried very well with silica gel before freezing them.
Store the seeds in an airtight
■ and moisture-proof container and place them in an area of the freezer that is not exposed to temperature fluctuations caused by opening and closing the freezer door. The deepest reaches of the freezer would work best.
When getting ready to use the
■ seeds, allow the container holding the seeds to reach room temperature and completely defrost before planting your seeds.
How long will seeds keep?
■ Depending on the seed, most can last five years or more.
As for the garden hand tools, the best place for hand tools is Lee Valley Tools. They have an excellent selection and the quality is always very good. Have a look online at www.leevalley. com.
Q I bought three pots of tulips from the greenhouse and really enjoyed the flowers, and am now thinking I might like to save them and plant them in my garden. The blooms have all faded and are finished, but what should I do next? I have kept the plants in a sunny location, watered them, and fertilized them once. (I used Miracle Gro — is that the right fertilizer for bulbs?) The stalks and leaves are gradually dying and falling over. The bulbs seem very firm and healthy. Would you please tell me what to do with them between now and planting time in the fall?
A First, while Miracle Gro (15-30-15) is adequate for tulips it is not ideal. A fertilizer that is balanced — such as 10-10-10 — is best. As for the bulbs, I have to warn you that since these bulbs were forced to bloom earlier than normal they may not bloom again for you. However, having said that, what you can try is to let the foliage die back and then cut it back. Remove the bulbs from the soil and dry them on paper towels for a few days. Then place the bulbs in a paper bag and store them in a cool spot in the house. Some experts recommend storing the bulbs in a fridge, but if your fridge contains fruits and vegetables the ethylene gas produced by the produce can deform or harm the bulbs. A cool corner of a basement will work. Plant the bulbs in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed, and hope for the best.