Winter Sowing and Seed Saving

This afternoon I finally finished cleaning up my seeds from last year and also did a little winter sowing. All in all, I saved almost 40 different varieties of seeds from last year's garden. Honestly, that number surprised me a little because everything was very neglected after Olen died and it 'felt like' the garden was a total flop. I was able to preserve a lot of things, and save several kinds of seeds, but I guess the 'flop' part was the cleaning up ... it's a total mess right now. Really, it is. I didn't even dig up the dahlias, so they are probably lost. I did not mulch the artichoke or strawberries, either. We'll see what comes back. I'm sure the strawberries will be fine, but I'm not so sure about the artichoke since last year was my first year growing them. 

Anyway, I'm thankful for what DID get done!!! Here's praying my energy and health will be up for the cleaning up process asap this late winter / early spring! And just this morning Tylor called me to hash out some upcoming gardening plans - we were both in gardening mode today, I guess. I usually have my garden planned by now, seeds organized in starting date order, etc. I'm still debating on my approach this year (a normal garden, or scaled back a lot?). 

I took a few photos of my seed cleaning process for the curious. Here they are, in order. 

I have a screen frame that accommodates 2 screen sizes at a time.

Side view - a smaller piece fits between the other two pieces.

Black-Eyed Susan - I'll admit, I literally smiled when I opened the bag.

With some things you can just tap the screen and let the seeds bounce out.

Shown with the bigger screen removed.

Shown after tapping the next screen.

Now the 2nd screen is removed; there is some chaff, but I don't mind.

I like to have the flexible cutting mat  under the screens - easy to funnel.

For some things I cut a mailing envelope, for others I use smaller
seed envelopes or larger 5x7 or even 8x10 (?) mailing envelopes
 ... it all just depends on the size and amount of the seed.

Back view - I'll fold and tape it shut.

Some seeds get a bit stuck in their casing (in this case, tulsi / holy
  basil), so I'll crunch them up before pouring onto the screen.

Echinacea Paradoxa - I beat these around and rough them up.

Now for winter sowing ... I like these plastic salad / spinach boxes, so I try to remember to save them when I have them (punch / drill / burn a few drainage holes in the bottom). I only had 4, so I used a water jug for the echinacea - I have so many volunteers each year that I didn't want to start too many this way. The seed starting medium is slightly damp ... just enough to where it does not fly all over the place like dust while I'm working with it. I prefer to label them before I put the seeds in, that way I know what is what. Winter sowing is really handy for things that need cold stratification first, but it also works for pretty much everything else, though I do not have much experience with that yet. This will be my first year purposefully sowing vegetable seeds outside in containers. I'll still start them inside as usual, just in case my outside experiment fails. 
Anyway ... sprinkle the seeds on top of the 'soil', and then cover lightly with more 'soil'. I was generous with my sprinkling since I have so much. The remainder of the seeds were packed back up and placed into the freezer for inside sowing later. 

A photo of the containers outside, just in case the markers get removed for whatever reason. And that's where they will sit until they sprout, allowing nature to take its course. If I feel the need to turn it into a 'green house', I just put the tops on.

Ok, my break time is over and the soup needs dumpling batter spooned on top. I pray you are all doing well! Love to all, j