Starting and Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers for Your Garden

160 Pages·2018·10.81 MB·English

by  Thompson-Adolf

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© 2018 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Text © 2018 Julie Thompson-Adolf
Names: Thompson-Adolf, Julie, 1966- author.
First published in 2018 by Cool Springs Press, Title: Starting & saving seeds : grow the perfect vegetables, fruits,
an imprint of The Quarto Group, herbs and flowers for your garden / Julie Thompson-Adolf.
401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Other titles: Starting and saving seeds E E
Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Description: Minneapolis, MN : Cool Springs Press, 2018. | Includes S D
T [phone] F [phone] index.
www.QuartoKnows.com Identifiers: LCCN 2018014952 | ISBN 9780760360798 (hc)
S
Subjects:  LCSH: Gardening.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any Classification: LCC SB453 .T438 2018 | DDC 635--dc23
form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018014952
in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior
consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted Acquiring Editor: Thom O’Hearn
by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright Project Manager: Alyssa Bluhm
or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every Art Director: Cindy Samargia Laun
effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with Cover and Page Design: Evelin Kasikov
information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may Illustration: Evelin Kasikov
have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in Photography: Libby Williams,
a subsequent reprinting of the book. except as otherwise noted
Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discount for retail, Printed in China
wholesale, promotional, and bulk purchase. For details, contact
the Special Sales Manager by email at [email protected] 
or by mail at The Quarto Group, Attn: Special Sales Manager, 
401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-0-7603-6079-8
Digital edition: 978-0-76036-0-804
Hardcover edition: 978-0-76036-0-798
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STARTING SAVING
&
E E
S D
S
GROW THE PERFECT
VEGETABLES, FRUITS, HERBS,
AND FLOWERS
FOR YOUR GARDEN
Julie Thompson-Adolf
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Introduction
7
PART I
HOW TO START, GROW,
AND SAVE SEEDS
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
10
CHAPTER 2
Starting Seeds
22
CHAPTER 3
From Seedlings to Plants to Saving Seeds
38
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PART II

MEET THE PL ANTS
CHAPTER 4
Fruits and Vegetables
58
CHAPTER 5
Herbs and Flowers
98
Acknowledgments
152
Photo Credits
153
Resources
154
Index
156
About the Author
160
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Introduction
When I was in kindergarten, I planted a bean. I imagine I love a good story as much as I adore seeds. Yes, we
at some point as a child you did too. I remember need to know some science to grow and save seeds
sticking a bean seed in a Dixie cup partially filled with properly, but the beauty of heirloom seeds lies not only
dirt, watering it until the soil became muddy, watching in the delicious meals we create from our harvests, but
it sprout, then proudly presenting it to my mom and also in the history and heritage behind those seeds’
dad. After a week or two of a five-year-old’s tough origins. Did you know that in the past two hundred
love—Drown it in water! Carry it everywhere! Tuck it years, we’ve lost 94 percent of the fruit and vegetables
in bed!—the plant shriveled and died. I hope your that we once grew? I’ll introduce you to some of these
little plant enjoyed a happier life than mine. interesting plant varieties along the way, show how you
can grow them in your garden, and help you perpetuate
Often our first, unfortunate experiences growing these varieties by saving their seeds.
seeds make us believe we possess black thumbs.
I promise you—it’s not true. That poor, ill-fated
That said, I’m also the kind of gardener who likes quick
bean simply fell victim to a kindergartener’s lack
recommendations when I’m in a hurry. Let’s face it:
of knowledge about what comes next: how does
who among us spends all day, every day, gardening?
that cute little sprout turn into a healthy plant that
We want success from our gardens while in the throes
provides pretty blooms and, ultimately, food for
of chasing kids, working jobs, and even when writing
a family? My kindergarten teacher, while an
books. Because daily life interferes with gardening time,
incredibly sweet and patient woman, skipped the
I’ve included highlighted tips throughout the book, such
follow-up lesson.
as “Top 10 Tomatoes for Cool, Short-Season Climates”
or “Top 10 Prettiest, Tastiest Lettuces.”
While some books about seed starting and saving
can be a tad technical, that’s not the background
Think of me as your new friend or the neighbor next
for most home gardeners. Instead, I believe in an
door who loves to garden. Together we’ll banish any
illustrated, learning-by-doing approach. Here you’ll find
fears of failure and create a beautiful, healthy, delicious,
step-by-step instructions for everything from selecting
self-sufficient garden—from seed. 2
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INTRODUCTION 7
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