september harvests

 early morning community garden harvest 

 lovely monarch landing on a newly blooming mexican sunflower

 tomatoes are really rolling in now

 tomatoes against the hideous construction

 rainbow of heirloom colours 

Saving Seeds of Greens

Here are some photos of various leafy greens going to seed: 

 This is some lettuce seed in the stage after it has flowered (above) 

When collecting leafy green seeds, pay attention to the plants. They will begin to "bolt", grow upwards & create flowers (they will no longer taste very good at this stage), let those flowers bloom & die back, and then seed pods will form. Let them brown & then collect! Dry further indoors, pop open pods, and there is the seed! 

 Here are some greens that are sending up their flower stocks, and are about to bloom

 Romaine Lettuce bolting, it is about to send out it's flower stock

 Romaine sending out flowers

 Leafy green flower stocks against a beautiful august evening sky

 Red Romaine just about to flower

After the flowers have bloomed, you will have to wait another few weeks for the pods to form and start to dry out . . .watch carefully, when they are ready, they may burst open & you will loose the seed. Take them inside to dry before that stage . . .

How to Save Tomato Seeds

So, Here is a photo demonstration of how i save my tomato seeds step-by-step.

Step #1 - Start with ripe, healthy tomatoes

Step #2 - Cut them in half

 Step # 3 - Squeeze liquid including seeds, into a jar

Step # 4 - Let ferment for 4-7 days. (pictured bel0w)

Step #5 - Fill the jar containing fermented seeds with water. The seeds will sink to the bottom, and mould float to the top.

Step #6- Pour off top layer of mould and water. Do not pour out seeds.

Step #7 - Fill Jar with Water again. Let seeds settle.

Step #8 - You may have to repeat Step #6 & 7 a few times until all that remains is clear water & seeds.

Step # 9 - Strain the Seeds

Step #10 - Let dry on a suspended screen for at least one week

I dry mine of a re-claimed baking rack. It works perfectly!

Seed Saving Season!!

Preserving Tomatoes!

Slightly chilly nights are the perfect times to spend in the kitchen preserving your hard work! 

 oven dried tomatoes coming fresh out of the oven, and on a pretty plate

 tomato juice, tomato paste & oven-dried tomatoes