Seed Orders For 2017 Outdoor Garden ... Part 2

This is part 2 of the post: Seed Orders For 2017 Outdoor Garden ... Part 1

I bought these seeds from Park Seed  Park Seed  during a sale and free shipping! They are Zinnias, Rudbeckia, Marigolds, Basil, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Coleus, Cosmos, Radish.

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Cilantro will be used to make pesto. cilantro pesto recipe

Basil will be used to make basil pesto. basil pesto recipe

Nasturtium will be used near the vegetables because they deter some pests and is a great tasting edible flower. Nasturtium .

Marigold will also be used because it looks good and deters some pests and attacks pollinators.
marigolds

Cosmos will be used to attract pollinators

Coleus will be used in shady areas. 

Seed Saving Radish Seeds

Why buy radish seeds every year when you can make them in your own garden?

It's sustainable, lowers your carbon footprint, and saves you money.

Radish are easy to seed save. Instead of harvesting your radish to eat, leave a few alone and let them grow. They eventually will sprout stems and seed pods. Radishes can get pretty big (3 feet tall) if allowed to grow.

Let the seed pods dry out and then harvest a stem with pods. Here is a typical bunch of branches, stems, and seed pods.

Break off a small stem with a couple of seed pods.

Break off a seed pod.

Crack open the seed pod.

You can see the little round seeds in the pod. Separate the seeds from the pod.

In a little time you can make a lot of seeds for next year's planting. 

Put the seeds in a ventilated, water proof container and put it in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant.

I seed save when I am taking a break sitting on the porch enjoying the front flower garden. 

Seed saving radish is an easy and enjoyable activity !