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How to Clean and Store Seeds in Autumn
Introduction
Autumn is the perfect time to collect seeds from your favorite plants. You can use these seeds to grow new plants in the spring or give them to friends. But before you store your seeds, it’s important to clean them first. This will help to remove pests, diseases, and mold.
Materials You’ll Need
- White paper
- Funnel
- Sieves (different sizes)
- Envelope
- Pencil
- Plastic container
Step 1: Collect the Seeds
Before you start cleaning your seeds, you need to collect them from the plants. To do this, simply cut off the seedheads and place them in a paper bag.
Step 2: Clean the Seeds
Once you have collected your seeds, it’s time to clean them. Here’s how:
- Spread out a piece of white paper on a flat surface.
- Place a wide-gauge sieve over the paper.
- Pour the seedheads into the sieve and shake them gently.
- The seeds will fall through the sieve and onto the paper.
- Transfer the seeds and the fine chaff (small pieces of plant material) to a finer sieve.
- Shake the finer sieve over the paper.
- The fine chaff will fall through the sieve and onto the paper, leaving the clean seeds behind.
Step 3: Store the Seeds
Once your seeds are clean, you need to store them in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep them viable (able to germinate). Here’s how:
- Place the clean seeds in an envelope.
- Label the envelope with the name of the plant and the date.
- Place the envelope in a plastic container.
- Store the container in a cool, dark place.
Tips
- Don’t store seeds in hot, moist, or light places. This can damage the seeds and make them less likely to germinate.
- If you’re storing seeds for a long time, you can place them in the refrigerator or freezer. This will help to keep them viable for longer.
- Check your seeds regularly to make sure they’re not rotting or molding. If you see any signs of damage, discard the seeds.
