PHOTO: © Neil Soderstrom

saving marigold seeds

Did you know that you could save seeds from this year’s marigolds for next year’s flowers? Marigold seeds ripen easily on the plant if you don’t deadhead all of the spent flowers. Once the heads turn brown, break a pod or two open. If the seeds are dark brown or black like the ones in the photo, they’re ready to harvest. Gather heads from several plants to get a good blend of colors. Plus, it’s insurance in case one plant’s seeds are not viable.

Lay the pods in a dry place to continue to dry out — it could take two weeks. If the seeds are too moist, they’ll rot during storage. When they’re dry, break the heads open and gather the seeds. Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until spring.

If you only grow one cultivar of marigold in your garden, it probably won’t change much from the parent. Pollen from other marigolds in the area can create your own “hybrids.” The color can change from the original, as can the height and spread. However, if you prefer a row of marigolds that all match perfectly, it’s best to buy seeds each year.

pick a pack of peppers

Starting the seeds of flowers or veggies indoors in early spring is a great way to get a lot of plants for not much money. Before you know it, they’re large enough to pot up and begin to harden them off outdoors.

Here’s a tip to make moving the seedlings a lot easier. Slide the pots into cardboard four- or six-pack bottle holders. The holders have handles, so they’re easy to carry, either to move the seedlings or to share them with friends. And the holders keep the pots from tipping over as they do if they’re just set in a tray.

Want more great tips on vegetable gardening? Check out Creative Vegetable Gardening at right.

seed-starting rolls

Peat pots are a great way to start seeds, but you don’t have to go to the store to find biodegradable pots. Instead, cut cardboard tubes from paper towels and toilet paper to start your seedlings. Using scissors, cut the tubes into short pieces. Each toilet paper roll makes two pots (illustration A) and each paper towel tube makes four.

After cutting them, set the cylinders into a tray, as you can see in illustration B. If you set them so they touch, they’ll support each other as you water the seedlings. They also dry out more slowly when they’re set close together.

Then fill each pot with seed-starting mix, gently pack it down and sow the seeds. Later, as you plant the seedlings in the garden, break down the side of the roll so all of the cardboard will be buried underground. Just as with peat pots, if the edges stick up above the surface, they’ll wick moisture away from the roots.

Serious about seed starting? Check out the Sprout House and Location Station at right!