How to grow zucchini from seed outdoors. Collecting seeds. How to collect seeds of tomatoes (tomatoes), cucumbers and other garden crops Seeds from zucchini and pumpkin

How to harvest zucchini seeds

The selection of seeds for sale is striking in its diversity. But no less impressive is the high cost and low percentage of germination. It is easier and more reliable to collect zucchini seeds in your own area and store them yourself until the next season. How to do it according to all the rules of "garden science"

Features of growing zucchini

Zucchini is a cross-pollinated annual cold-resistant and drought-resistant crop of the gourd family, the cultivation of which is not difficult. To collect high-quality seeds, it is important to plant plants of the same variety next to seed specimens in order to avoid hybrids.

Hybrid specimens for collecting seeds should not be used.

Spatial isolation must be reliable. In a home garden - from 20 to 150 m. You can also use artificial pollination. To do this, transfer pollen from the male (staminate) flower to the female with a brush. In the calculation, 1 male copy for 2-3 female ones. The staminate flower grows on a straight petiole, at the base of the female, the rudiments of the fetus are clearly visible.

To improve pollination during flowering, the plant can be sprayed with a sugar solution - for 1 liter of hot water, 100 g of granulated sugar and 2 g of boric acid. Or hang jars with honey mixture - stir 1 teaspoon of water into a glass.

What is the advantage of seeds collected from your own garden? They are taken from plants that have already gone through the life cycle under precisely such conditions of climate, soil and economic impact that new plantings are coming. Therefore, zucchini from "family" seeds will sprout more amicably and grow better. In addition, the gardener can always choose the best plant for collection, without defects and pests.

How to choose seed fruits?

The growth period of zucchini, from which it is planned to collect seeds, is about four months. At least 3-5 landings are left for such purposes. In order for zucchini to grow faster, pinch the main stem during the bud formation phase. Fruits from which seeds can be collected are usually formed at the end of the second month from the moment the ovaries are formed.

Choose developed, with a pronounced appearance inherent in a certain variety, fruits, no more than two per plant. Collect healthy, beautiful zucchini with a typical shape and color. In order for their growth to go better, the dose of nitrogen fertilizers in dressings for seed plants is reduced by 1.5-2 times.

Seed collection

Seed squash is harvested from dry plants. To be sure that the fetus is ready for removal, you need to run your fingernail over it. If the skin has hardened so much that there is no trace left on it, then you can remove it. The color should be orange, intense cream or yellow.

After removing the zucchini for 15-20 days, they put it for ripening in a dry room with good ventilation. If collected one and a half months after the formation of the ovaries or a little later, the fruits ripen in 30-50 days, if the collection took place after 50-60 days, they ripen in 20-30 days.

If you prepare seeds from unripe zucchini, they will sprout poorly when planted. Therefore, it is undesirable to rush to collect them.

Cut the zucchini in half and carefully collect the seeds with your hands. From one fruit you can get 20-40 g. They should not be washed and fermented. Seeds in good weather are laid out on glass, ceramics or paper (not on metal) in the open, but without the sun. In case of precipitation - under a canopy. Dry well, especially those that are planned to be stored in closed containers.

Seeds should not be overheated or kept wet for a long time, otherwise they will lose their germination!

Many "gardening" experts give advice - it is better to collect the seeds at home, in winter, when the zucchini fully ripen in warm storage at room temperature.

Harvesting seeds from your own garden can be annual, but it is better to store them for several years to “preserve” the variety in case of unwanted pollination or bad weather.

Storage conditions

When the seeds are completely dry, they are collected for further storage in linen bags, paper bags or glass jars. Paper bags are pierced with a needle in several places to improve airflow. Only perfectly dried seeds can be collected in glass containers. On the packaging it is worth writing the name of the crop, variety and year of collection, so that later it will be easier to navigate.

Wet seeds should not be stored. They quickly heat up, become moldy and deteriorate.

The optimum storage temperature is 10-15 degrees above zero. No sudden changes in temperature and humidity. The latter should not be higher than 9% (although 7% is best).

With good drying, in sealed packaging made of glass or polyethylene, laying in a refrigerator or cellar, they remain viable for up to 8 years. The most productive seeds are two-three-year "aging".

Check before boarding

Even with proper collection and storage, zucchini seeds must be checked before planting. You can use the following method:

Treat sawdust three times with boiling water with an interval of half an hour. Pour into small containers. At intervals of 1-1.5 cm between each other and a distance of 2-3 cm in a row, plant seeds. Fill with sawdust and tamp tightly (so that cotyledons appear, not roots). Provide a temperature of 23-27 degrees Celsius. Calculate - how many copies out of a dozen will sprout. Such will be their germination. For example, if out of 10 pieces sprout 9, the germination percentage is considered to be 90%.

The rapid emergence of sprouts above the surface will mean that they have enough energy and vitality. So - you can count on healthy seedlings and an excellent harvest.

Collecting zucchini seeds from your own garden is definitely a profitable business, and not so much for sale, but for the sake of breeding a quality variety, zoned for a certain area. The possibility of obtaining a valuable product with dietary properties, containing vitamins, light carbohydrates, “ascorbic acid” and a sufficient amount of other useful substances is worth it to spend some effort on growing, collecting and maintaining high-quality zucchini seeds.

On a personal plot, you can grow seeds of the most common annual vegetable crops such as cucumber, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, tomato. And also: pepper, eggplant, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage, vegetable peas, beans, radish salad. The agricultural technology of most vegetables for seed purposes is almost the same as the agricultural technology for food. Growing seeds of vegetable crops, it is necessary to strictly follow the methods that ensure the preservation of the purity of the variety, contribute to a more complete pollination of seed plants and accelerated seed ripening.
Zucchini is a cross-pollinating plant, therefore, in order to grow seeds, it is necessary that there are plants of the same variety nearby. Zucchini seeds, like cucumber, can be obtained using artificial crossing.
The growing season for zucchini seed plants lasts 110-115 days. Seed fruits ripen 60 days after the formation of the ovaries.
The dose of nitrogen fertilizers in top dressing is reduced by 1.5-2 times compared to growing zucchini for food. Well-developed fruits typical for this variety are left on the seeds (1-2 per plant). To accelerate ripening, pinching the main stem in the budding phase is used. The zucchini fruits are removed when their bark hardens, and will not be pressed through with a fingernail, and will also acquire a more intense color characteristic of the variety.
From dry plants, seed fruits are removed and placed for ripening in a dry, ventilated room for 15-20 days. Then the fruits are cut, seeds are selected and dried.
Seed yield from one fruit is 20-40 g. Seeds remain viable for 6-8 years.
Patisson is a cross-pollinated plant. It pollinates with other varieties of this species, zucchini and pumpkin. Growing the seeds of this crop, provide for spatial isolation in a protected area by 500 m, in an open area - by 2000 m. To obtain pure-grade seeds, artificial crossing is used like a cucumber.
Fruits from well-developed, early, healthy plants are left for seeds. To speed up ripening, pinch the main stem first.
The fruits are harvested when their bark becomes dense and will not be pressed through with a fingernail. Ripen in a warm, dry room for 15-25 days. Then the fruits are cut with an ax, and the seeds are taken out and
dry up. The yield of seeds from one fruit is 15-20 g. The seed material remains viable for 7-8 years.
Pumpkin is a cross-pollinating plant. Pumpkins are divided into three botanical species: large-fruited, nutmeg and hard-barked. These species do not cross-pollinate with each other, but varieties within the same species for seed should be placed at a distance of 100 m from each other in a protected place and 500 m in an open area.
Pumpkin fruits are tied 3-8 days after flowering and ripen 30-60 days after setting (depending on the variety and species).
To speed up the ripening of fruits, the top of the main stem is removed from the long-climbing pumpkins above the 3-4th leaf, the side shoots are also pinched, so that there are 3-4 leaves above the fruit. All extra side shoots that do not have fruits are removed.
After the first light frost, pumpkin fruits, upon reaching ripeness, are carefully removed, trying not to scratch or damage the bark, placed in a warm room in one layer with the stalk up and ripened for 1-1.5 months until the seeds fully ripen. Then the fruits are cut in half, seeds are selected and dried.
The yield of seeds from one fruit is 30-140 g. Seeds remain viable in a dry, warm room for 7-8 years.
Tomato is a self-pollinating plant, that is, both female and male organs are in the same flower. For seed purposes, red fruits are regularly harvested from typical, healthy, productive plants. You can also collect blanzhe fruits, but with subsequent ripening.
Seeds are isolated only from ripe fruits, cut across them and cleaned out the seeds in a glass or enamel bowl, and left for fermentation in their own juice. This contributes to the destruction of microflora on the surface of the seeds. After 2-3 days, they are washed in clean water, and then dried on paper placed on grids, stirring occasionally.
Seeds cannot be fermented and washed in non-galvanized iron dishes and dried on rusty sieves, as this leads to darkening of the seeds and deterioration of their quality.
After drying, it is advisable to store the seeds in paper bags or bags made of dense fabric.
Seed yield -10 g/m². Their germination is preserved in a heated room up to 7-8 years.
According to flowering biology, pepper is considered to be predominantly a self-pollinator. However, sweet varieties of pepper can be cross-pollinated with bitter and peninsular varieties, as a result, their offspring are bitter, therefore, spatial isolation of at least 2 m is observed between varieties.
Seeds are taken from healthy, productive, early ripening plants typical of the variety, near which, during the period of technical (removable) ripeness of the fruits, pegs are installed or twine is tied. The fruits are harvested for seeds in the phase of biological ripeness - when they acquire the color characteristic of the variety (red, orange or yellow).
If in cold years the testicles do not ripen before frost, whole plants are harvested for seeds, which are dropped into pots or hung, ripening the fruits in warm rooms. Seeds isolated from unripe fruits (without ripening) have a reduced germination capacity.
Seed material is isolated manually. The fruits are cut with a knife along the edge near the calyx and, taking the stalk with your fingers, remove it along with the seeds from the fruit. Then the seeds are shaken out or scraped out with a knife, dried in the sun, ground and winnowed.
When isolating and processing seeds from acute and peninsular varieties, they protect the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose and mouth, using respirators and other protective equipment. From 1 kg of fruits, 2-8 g of sweet pepper seeds and 10-18 g of bitter pepper seeds come out. Seed material remains viable for 2-3 years.
A. Lebedeva, Ph.D. Sciences

A generous harvest of zucchini largely depends on the seeds used and their pre-sowing preparation. The procedure includes several stages: sorting, heating, soaking. Sequential processing of the material accelerates its germination. How to soak zucchini seeds before planting to get an early harvest? Tips from experienced farmers will help answer this question.

Pre-sowing preparation

Spring is a busy season for gardeners. It is necessary to prepare the soil and seeds for planting a new crop. The volume and specificity of work with seed material depends on the method of its acquisition. Purchased seeds are treated with growth stimulants and disinfectants, and with homemade all procedures are performed independently. Novice farmers are worried about whether seeds need to be soaked? This procedure is the best agrotechnical method to speed up the germination of a crop.

Information. There are no guaranteed ways to select seeds with high yields. Gardeners are guided by indirect signs: weight, varietal qualities of parent fruits, analysis of appearance.

Zucchini seeds need processing and soaking

Soaking the seeds takes place in a damp cloth, to enhance the effect, various preparations are added to the water:

• fertilizer "Nitrofoska";
• potassium permanganate;
• boric acid;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• growth stimulants "Epin", "Zircon";
• potassium humate.

The soaking time for vegetable seeds varies. How many days is needed for zucchini? Seeds during the procedure should only swell. Then they are sown in the ground or germinated until the roots appear. Experienced gardeners know how to properly soak zucchini. This will require a shallow container and cloth. Part of the napkin is abundantly moistened with warm water, the seeds are laid out on top and the second part is covered. During swelling, it is necessary to ensure that the fabric is always damp. It will take 20-24 hours to soften the skin.

Advice. Use water free of chlorine and other substances. It is better to take peeled or thawed.

Preparing zucchini seeds for planting in open ground

One way to grow zucchini is to plant seeds in the ground. The procedure seems simple and straightforward: dig a hole, put seeds, water and bury. But during agricultural work there are always nuances and tricks that sophisticated gardeners use. They know how to prepare the seeds for sowing in order to reap a bountiful harvest in the summer.

There are several tricks, using which you can achieve not only early shoots, but also long-term fruiting. Pre-sowing activities:

• Calibration - selection of seeds of the same size and weight. At the same time, unusable damaged material is disposed of.
• Warming up - keeping the seed for 3-5 hours at a temperature of about 60°C increases the internal energy of the plant. You can carry out the procedure at a lower temperature (30-35°C), but then it will take 2 weeks. Quick heating is performed in thermostats or under the sun, spreading the seeds on a black canvas. A common option is to place the seeds in a linen bag on the battery.
• Chemical dressing is the main way of spreading diseases with planting material and plant residues. Disinfection must be subjected to own and purchased seeds, if there is no mark on the procedure performed. For pickling pumpkin crops, a 2% solution of potassium permanganate (2 g per 100 ml of water) is recommended. The procedure time is 20 minutes. A good result is the use of the drug "Fitosprin". For dressing, dilute 0.5 teaspoon in 100 ml of water. Seeds fall for 2 hours.
• Soaking - the material is placed in clean, settled water or a solution of stimulants until swelling.
• Bubbling - the procedure is similar to soaking, but the water with seeds is forcibly saturated with oxygen. You will need a small compressor, for example, for an aquarium. Aeration takes 10-24 hours.
• Germination - swollen seeds are kept in a warm and humid environment until sprouts appear.

Information. After dressing, the seeds are washed in clean water, then soaked.

Hydrogen peroxide

Seed material needs to be disinfected. One of the best ways to kill fungal spores and pathogenic bacteria is hydrogen peroxide. The use of a pharmaceutical preparation is indicated for seeds with a strong hard shell. Hydrogen peroxide softens the structure of the outer cover, facilitating the path of sprouts. To prepare the solution, you need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of peroxide per 500 ml of water. Soaking time 12 hours. During the procedure, the material is placed in a napkin or cloth bag.

Information. After processing, it is necessary to rinse the zucchini with running water.

potassium humate

Fertilizer based on humic acids has many properties useful for plants:

• reduces soil acidity;
• stimulates growth;
• strengthens the immune system;
• reduces the need for mineral fertilizers;
• improves resistance to cold.

Liquid potassium humate is recommended for soaking. It will take 20 ml of the drug per 250 ml of water. You can prepare a solution from ballast-free humate (peat extract). The dosage is 1 g of powder per 100 ml of water. The color of the solution should resemble light beer. A darker shade indicates a high concentration of fertilizers. It is harmful to plants. The seed material is immersed in humate for 15-20 hours. Processing occurs after disinfection.

Attention. The solution is prepared immediately before use, do not store.

To prepare the solution, take water heated to 25-28 ° C. The soaked seeds are stirred occasionally. Dry after processing. A solution of humate is poured over zucchini seeds sown in open ground.

Processing with "Zircon" and "Epin"

"Zircon" is a preparation of natural origin that regulates the processes of plant development. It activates the germination and formation of the root system. After soaking the zucchini in the Zircon solution, the seedlings get sick less, quickly adapt to any conditions. Seeds are placed in 150 ml of water and 1 drop of the drug is added. The exposure time is 8-10 hours. To improve the effect, it is recommended to acidify the liquid with a crystal of citric acid.

Farmers know how to treat seeds with biologically active substances before planting. The procedure should take place at a temperature above +20°C, if this condition is not met, then the positive effect of the funds is significantly reduced. Created about 50 compositions that accelerate germination. One of the most effective is "Epin". The universal substance of plant origin helps zucchini adapt to negative conditions (drought, lack of light, cold).

To prepare a composition that activates germination, it is necessary to add 2 drops of Epin to 100 ml of water. The procedure time is 12-24 hours.

Of the numerous range of stimulants listed compositions are the most effective. A significant advantage is the natural origin and environmental safety of drugs. But, despite these qualities, some gardeners consider them chemistry and refuse to use them. They resort to substances that have not been processed:

Aloe juice is a powerful growth stimulant

Aloe juice is a natural biostimulator. To influence the seeds, green leaves are selected from an adult plant. Previously, they are kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Aloe juice is squeezed into a glass, the resulting volume is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1. Processing time 1 day.

wood ash

Wood ash contains a large number of trace elements that affect the initial growth of pumpkin seeds. The composition for soaking is prepared in the proportion: 2 tablespoons of ash per 1 liter of warm water. It is infused for 24 hours, then the seeds are placed in a solution. The duration of the procedure is 3 hours.

How to check zucchini seeds for germination

Zucchini seeds remain viable for a long period - 4-8 years. But storage conditions affect this indicator. In order not to wait in vain for the appearance of sprouts, it is worth checking the seeds for germination. It is difficult to calculate the indicator for 100%, but a close value is typical for fresh material collected at your site. Germination also depends on the variety of zucchini. Material marked "hybrid F1" performs better than conventional crops.

At home, to check the seeds for germination, you will need to select 10 pieces of zucchini. This number will make it easy to calculate the indicator as a percentage:

• The appearance of sprouts in 3 seeds means a germination rate of 30%. This result is considered unsatisfactory, the material is not recommended for planting.
• Sprouted 5-7 pieces mean 50-70% germination. The material is allowed for planting, but needs to be treated with drugs that stimulate germination.
• If 8-9 seeds have hatched roots, this is a good germination rate of 80-90%. Can be used for sowing.

A preliminary check of the material is carried out in salt water, 1 liter of liquid and 1 teaspoon of salt will be required. The seeds are dipped into the solution, stirred and left for 1-2 hours. Instances floating on the surface are rejected immediately.

For further verification, several methods are used:

1. Sand is poured into the box, moistened with warm water. Seeds are laid out on the surface, then covered with a layer of wet sand. Checked after 3 days.
2. Sawdust is poured three times with boiling water, then placed in a container. Zucchini seeds are placed in sawdust and lightly rammed. Germination check after 3 days.
3. The material to be tested is placed on a damp cloth. The top is closed with a napkin. Periodically, the fabric is moistened, drying is not allowed. The tissue container is at room temperature +20-22°C. The calculation is carried out after 5-6 days.

Information. The level of germination is affected by storage conditions. Favorable temperature is 10-15°C. The room must be dry.

How to germinate zucchini before planting

Preparation for sowing begins a week before the scheduled date. This time is enough to perform all of the above manipulations with seeds. The final stage of work is germination. At home, it occurs using a different substrate.

For planting in open ground, they achieve pecking of zucchini in boxes with wet sawdust. Seeds are laid out with an interval of 2 cm, covered with a small layer of sawdust. The substrate is moistened not just with water, but with a solution of potassium humate and boric acid, which is an antiseptic. The boxes are placed in a warm room. Sawdust is regularly moistened from a spray bottle using a warm solution.

The basis for germination can be cotton fabric. It is placed in a small container, the size of which is selected depending on the number of seeds. Usually this is a saucer or plate. Seeds are evenly distributed over the canvas, covered with a piece of damp cloth. The temperature in the room where they are located should not fall below +20°C. If the indicators are quite high, monitor the moisture level, it should not fall.

One of the options for sprouting is in toilet paper folded in several layers. The base must be well moistened so that the water partially protrudes. One of the advantages of toilet paper is its soft structure, it does not damage thin roots. To quickly germinate zucchini seeds, they create favorable greenhouse conditions using plastic bags. The container with planting material will be protected from moisture drying, drafts, temperature changes. The package is perfectly replaced by a low glass jar with a lid.

Information. Some gardeners practice not only germinating seeds in toilet paper, but also growing seedlings.

There are many ways to speed up the germination of zucchini seeds. Gardeners choose options proven by personal experience. Beginners have to trust the recommendations of farmers.

Seed propagation in the garden strawberry familiar to us, unfortunately, leads to the appearance of less productive plants and weaker bushes. But another type of these sweet berries - alpine strawberries, can be successfully grown from seeds. Let's learn about the main advantages and disadvantages of this crop, consider the main varieties and features of agricultural technology. The information presented in this article will help you decide whether it is worth giving her a place in the berry.

Often, at the sight of a beautiful flower, we instinctively bend over to smell its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by nocturnal butterflies) and diurnal, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the grower and designer, because we often walk in the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners with the onset of the evening. We are never put off by the fragrance of our favorite fragrant flowers.

Pumpkin is considered by many gardeners to be the queen of the beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, useful qualities and a rich harvest. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, iron, various vitamins and minerals. Due to the possibility of long-term storage, this vegetable maintains our health all year round. If you decide to plant a pumpkin on your site, you will be interested to know how to get the largest possible harvest.

Scotch eggs are amazing! Try to cook this dish at home, there is nothing difficult to prepare. Scotch eggs are a hard boiled egg wrapped in minced meat, breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep fried. For frying, you need a frying pan with a high rim, and if you have a deep fryer, then it's just great - even less hassle. You will also need deep-frying oil so as not to smoke the kitchen. Choose farm eggs for this recipe.

One of the most amazing large-flowered tub cubanola Dominican fully justifies the status of a tropical miracle. Heat-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique bells of flowers, cubanola is a fragrant star with a difficult character. It requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, the best (and more chocolatey) candidate for the role of indoor giant cannot be found.

Chickpea Curry with Meat is a hearty hot dish for lunch or dinner inspired by Indian cuisine. This curry is quick to prepare, but requires pre-preparation. Chickpeas must first be soaked in plenty of cold water for several hours, preferably overnight, the water can be changed several times. It is also better to leave the meat in the marinade overnight so that it turns out juicy and tender. Then you should boil the chickpeas until tender and then cook the curry according to the recipe.

Rhubarb can not be found in every garden plot. It's a pity. This plant is a storehouse of vitamins and can be widely used in cooking. What is not prepared from rhubarb: soups and cabbage soup, salads, delicious jams, kvass, compotes and juices, candied fruit and marmalade, and even wine. But that's not all! A large green or red rosette of plant leaves, reminiscent of burdock, acts as a beautiful backdrop for annuals. Not surprisingly, rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.

Today, experiments with non-banal combinations and non-standard colors in the garden are in trend. For example, plants with black inflorescences have become very fashionable. All black flowers are original and specific, and it is important for them to be able to select suitable partners and a position. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to the range of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.

3 delicious sandwiches - cucumber sandwich, chicken sandwich, cabbage and meat sandwich - a great idea for a quick snack or for a picnic in nature. Only fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and a little spice. There is no onion in these sandwiches, if you wish, you can add an onion marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches, this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, it remains to collect a picnic basket and go to the nearest green lawn.

Depending on the variety group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, medium ripening - 55-60 and late terms - at least 70 days. When planting seedlings of tomatoes at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly extended. But success in obtaining a high-quality crop of tomatoes also depends on the careful implementation of the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.

Unpretentious plants of the "second plan" sansevieria do not seem boring to those who appreciate minimalism. They are better than other indoor decorative foliage stars for collections that require minimal maintenance. Stable decorative effect and extreme endurance of only one type of sansevieria are also combined with compactness and very fast growth - Khan's rosette sansevieria. The squat rosettes of their stiff leaves create striking clusters and patterns.

One of the brightest months of the garden calendar pleasantly surprises with the balance of the distribution of favorable and unsuccessful days for working with plants according to the lunar calendar. Gardening and gardening in June can be done throughout the month, while the unfavorable periods are very short and still allow you to do useful work. There will be their optimal days for sowing with plantings, and for pruning, and for a pond, and even for construction work.

Meat with mushrooms in a pan is an inexpensive hot dish that is suitable for a regular lunch and for a festive menu. Pork will cook quickly, veal and chicken too, so this meat is preferable for the recipe. Mushrooms - fresh champignons, in my opinion, the best choice for homemade stew. Forest gold - mushrooms, boletus and other goodies are best harvested for the winter. Boiled rice or mashed potatoes are ideal as a side dish.

I love ornamental shrubs, especially unpretentious and with an interesting, non-trivial foliage color. I have different Japanese spireas, Thunberg barberries, black elderberry ... And there is one special shrub that I will talk about in this article - the viburnum vesicle. For the realization of my dream of a low maintenance garden, it is perhaps the perfect fit. At the same time, it is able to diversify the picture in the garden very much, moreover, from spring to autumn.

Before each spring, the season for searching for seed material begins. By the beginning of spring plantings, everything should be ready. Some plantings are made in the form of seedlings even in winter, so they begin to look for seeds even in autumn. As a rule, seeds are simply bought, and then planted and a crop grows. Not everyone thinks that with this approach, the most important factor is lost - the evolutionary adaptability of plants. A plant that grows in your climate region and bears fruit contains a huge layer of genetic information in its seeds that is designed to help future generations of plants grow in these conditions. When buying seeds, each time you plant plants whose genetic memory does not contain information about the growth in your region. At best, it contains information on how the plant was grown in the greenhouse for seed.

Is it worth losing such a wonderful opportunity for plants to preserve their accumulated experience? After all, in the end, all this goes to help us, people. The same cucumbers in a few generations will be much more adapted to your area than any purchased ones. Therefore, here we will talk about how to collect your own seeds - for example, from cucumbers and zucchini. By analogy, you can collect seeds from absolutely any fruit.

To obtain seeds, one large cucumber must not be plucked. It should overripe and turn yellow. If that didn't work out, no big deal. Any large cucumber can ripen at home in the fall. When it ripens (and at the same time it may or may not become a little soft), it must be carefully opened by making small cuts and divided in half.

The seeds inside the fruit are covered with special jelly-like shells that contain germination inhibitors. Their task is to prevent the seeds from germinating inside the fruit. But there are also miracles - some seeds still manage to germinate.

You can get rid of these shells by simply putting the entire contents in water for a couple of days. It will slightly ferment and the shells will collapse. Then the seeds just need to be washed. However, you can not do this, but put everything on a piece of paper and carefully separate the seeds there. This can be done not immediately, but after some time.

So on a sheet of paper, the seeds should dry, while they may wrinkle a little from loss of moisture. And only when they are completely dry, you can put them away for storage. To easily separate stuck seeds from paper, just bend it and fold it from top to bottom - the seeds will fall off by themselves. After that, they must be stored in bags, indicating the year of collection on them. In bags, you can pierce holes for air exchange with a needle.

Many store zucchini almost all winter. During this time, the seeds in them ripen well. And, for example, in January, before eating zucchini, you can carefully cut it, collect the seeds and dry them on paper in the same way. Zucchini seeds do not shrink when dried.

Similarly, you can get seeds from pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, and almost any fruit. Remember: the more generations your plant has grown, the more genetic memory it has accumulated, and the more valuable it becomes. While working, try to touch the seeds more often with your hands (some even hold them in your mouth for a while) so that they can get some information about a particular person and grow personally useful for him.

UP 08/16/2014: Cucumbers and zucchini from the obtained seeds grew normal and gave a good harvest.