31831 HIGHWAY 200 EAST, SANDPOINT IDAHO
(208) 265-2944
All Seasons can deliver bouquets, live plants and flower baskets across town or around the world. We are your 1-800 FLOWERS local fulfilling florist. CLICK HERE for selection.
FOR DIRECT ORDERS,
CALL(208)265-2944, OR E-MAIL
YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO
allseasonsgardenandfloral@gmail.com
AND WE WILL CALL YOU.
If romance is in the air let us help. We are a full service floral design center and can help with just the right bouquet to make her heart flutter.
Congratulations to all newly engaged couples! If you’ve set a 2010 wedding date, let us dream with you and create the most beautiful floral pieces for your special day. We have experienced florists available to guide you in planning the perfect wedding flowers that are uniquely yours. Make an appointment today to meet with one of our floral designers at 265-2944.
ALL SEASONS GARDEN AND FLORAL IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 9 AM TO 5 P.M.
We are located JUST AROUND THE CORNER IN KOOTENAI ON HIGHWAY 200 EAST.
THE GARDENER'S CORNER
ATTENTION GARDENERS!!
Learn to save your seeds!
Don't save seeds from vegetables or flowers labeled "hybrid". Seeds from hybrid varieties produce a mixture of plant types, most of which are inferior to the parent. Many varieties could be hybrids but may not be designated as such.
Seeds easily saved:
TOMATO
1. Save seed from the fully ripe fruit of the desired tomato plant.
2. Squeeze the seeds onto a paper towel or a piece of screen.
3. Leave the seeds at room termperature until they are thoroughly dry.
PEPPER
1. Select a mature pepper, preferably one turning red, and allow it to turn completely red before extracting the seeds.
2. Place seeds on a towel or a piece of screen until they are thoroughly dry.
EGGPLANT/HUSK TOMATO/GROUNDCHERRY/
GARDEN HUCKLEBERRY
1. Separate seeds from the mature fruit.
2. Dry thoroughly at room temperature.
BEANS/PEAS/SOYBEANS
1. Leave pods on the plant until they are "rattle dry".
2. Watch the pods carefully because some varieties split and scatter the seeds when they are dry.
3. Pick dried pods and place them in a well-venilated area at room temperature. When pods are completely dry, remove seeds.
4. To control possible weevil infestation, place seeds in a freezer for 24 to 30 hours.
LETTUCE
Lettuce seeds are more difficult to collect, but you can save them.
1. Leave a plant or two to produce a seed stalk.
2. After the plant blooms and the flower forms a miniature "dandelion head", gather the seeds.
3. Separate the seeds from the chaff by rubbing them with your fingers.
SEEDS DIFFICULT TO SAVE
(VINE CROPS/CUCUMBER/MELONS/SQUASH
/PUMPKINS)
It usually doesn't pay to save these seeds. Without controlled pollination, these crops cross with other varieties and sometimes other types. Muskmelons do not cross with cucumbers, however.
You can control pollination in your garden, but it requires careful attention. First, you need to distinguish between male and female flowers. Male blossoms are on a longer stalk and do not have a miniature fruit at the base as do female blossoms.
1. With careful observation, note the blossoms that will open the following day. They have a light yellow color and a distinct pointed tip.
2. In the evening, select male and female flowers on the same plant.
3. With a paper clip for small flowers or a rubber band for larger flowers, prevent the following from opening. Flowers open early in the day.
4. In the morning, pluck the male blossom and touch the cluster of pollen (called anthers) to the center of the female flower (called the stigma).
5. Close the female flower again so bees can't get in.
6. Tag the blossom.
7. Grow the fruit to maturity for the desired seed. The fruit must be very ripe for seeds to germinate correctly. Cucumbers must be entirely yellow, and squash and pumpkin must be thoroughly mature. Separate the seeds from the fruit flesh and dry them at room temperature.
BIENNNIALS
(CARROT/BEET/ONION/CABBAGE FAMILY)
Biennials are questionable for seed collection. It takes alot of work to carry over the plant root from the first season to the second year when seeds stalks form. Many members of the cabbage family intercross and also can cross with wild native crucifers such as mustard, cress, radish, or turnip. Carrots cross with the prevalent wild carrot. Select desirable beet or carrot roots and keep them cool and moist, perhaps buried outdoors in sand. In early spring, plant the roots in an uncrowded areas of the garden because they grow very large. Keep onion bulbs cool and dry during the winter, then plant them in early spring. After spring growth, seed heads form. When heads are quite dry, gather the mature, plump seed before it falls to the ground, and complete the drying at room termperature.
FLOWER SEEDS
You can save many flower seeds, though crossing some varieties can cause deterioration from the original over time.
1. Gather mature seed pods (stock and poppies) or seed clusters (zinnia and strawflower).
2. Leave sunflower heads on the plant as long as the birds don't bother them. When the top of the blossom separates from the seed, or birds start eating the seeds, cut the head and finish curing the seed in a warm, venilated area. You can also eat seeds or use them as bird feed after the seeds dry.
Storing Seeds
Keep seeds in a labeled container or envelope in a cool, dry place where they are protected from insects. Storage life of seeds varies widely.
Here is a guide:
Short-lived seeds/1-2 years:
(CORN/ONION/PARSLEY/PEPPER)
Intermediate seeds/3-4 years:
ASPARAGUS/BEAN/BROCCOLI/CARROTS
/CELERY/LEEKS/PEAS/SPINACH
Long-lived seeds/4-5 years:
(BEET/CHARD/CABBAGE FAMILY - BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CAULIFLOWER-), TURNIP, RADISH,CUCUMBER,EGGPLANT/LETTUCE
/MUSKMELON/PUMPKIN-SQUASH FAMILY
/TOMATO/WATERMELON
Testing germination
To test seeds for germination before planting:
1. Moisten two or three layers of paper towels.
2. Place 25 to 50 seeds on the towels and roll the
towels loosely.
3. Place in a plastic bag.
4. Keep the towels in a warm place such as on a kitchen counter or on top of a water heater.
Some seed, such as radish, germinates in 2 to 3 days. Peppers can take 10 to 14 days. Observe the seed at 2-day intervals to determine the degree of germination.
Happy Planting!
Our gardeners at All Seasons
will Gladly answer any of your gardening questions.
Come in and see us at:
31831 Highway 200 East, Sandpoint, Idaho, or call (208)265-2944
