Saving Cucumber Seeds. 11.17.22

 I kept a mature bush pickle cucumber fruit to save seeds.  It became very large.  To save seeds, the fruit needs to ripen and start to soften, and lose its green color,

While cleaning the garden, I also found a Chinese cucumber.  I didn't know it had any fruits.  The seed was from an old packet, and only one germinated.  These were in an out of the way location in the garden. I will save that seed too.

Both look the same when sliced open.  Despite being over-ripe, the insides had a fresh, pleasant, melon scent. 

The seeds get scooped out, along with some juice and loose flesh.  I place the mixture into a jar with some water, and allow it to ferment a few days.  The fermentation removes the seed casing.  Then they'll be rinsed and allowed to dry. 

Saving Eggplant and Tabasco Pepper Seeds. 11.12.22

 This eggplant was highly productive this year.  I was amazing.  So I saved seeds.

For eggplant, I didn't ferment.  I scooped out as many seeds as I could, and rinsed them off in a sieve with water.  Then I let them dry on a paper towel for a few days, then made a paper envelope to store them in.

I decided to save seeds from my Tabasco pepper plant as well.  This year my Tabascos were only minimally productive.  I'd like to grow enough to make Tabasco sauce.  I cut open a Tabasco pepper and removed the seeds.  They are drying in a bowl and will go into a paper envelope soon.

Leaf Collection #2. 11.12.22

 Today I collected another truckload of maple and liquidamber leaves from a complete stranger's yard.  I had permission.  

I spread these about 6 inches deep, in the meditation garden / border.  The remaining leaves from last year were almost gone.  The did an excellent job keeping weeds away,  The soil there has wonderful tilth from two years so far of thick leaf mulch.  This area has lots of bulbs under ground, a growing forsythia hedge, Itoh peony, lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, rhubarb, and some other perennials.  Now that area is ready for winter and next year.

I'm estimating I'll need about five more truckloads, based on what it took to cover this area.

Planting More Flower Bulbs. 11.12.22

 These were on sale at Fred Meyer.

I planted the daffodils in the meditation garden.  Who knows how close they are to other buried bulbs.  Does it matter?  About 20% of the daffodil bulbs were dried out and crunchy.  I discarded those.

Tulips are deer and vole favorites.  I planted them in a container that previously held garlic, then cucumber.  Not sure if it is bottomless, but at least it's sheltered from deer.  I mixed the soil with some container soil mix that I'm not certain is the best.  Hope by mixing with native soil, any problems are resolved.   I gave them some organic bulb fertilizer. 

The plan fir next year, is in Maybor June I will plant therapeutic marigolds over the tulips.  The marigolds can bloom and warm the soul, and the foliage and roots can be used for preventive nematocide treatment.

I planted about 1/4 of the crocus bulbs in the garden border.  Probably plant another 1/4 in the border and the rest in the meditation garden.

Daffodils and crocuses seem to survive well here.  Tulips need more TLC.  They are worth it.

Don't Do This. 11.12.22

 The other day, I moved this board to a different area of the garden to use as edging.  I didn't noticecthe nails.  If I saw them, I would have removed them.

The wound is less painful now.  No sign of infection so far.  Thankful for antibiotics and tetanus shots.

The nails are all removed now.  Inspection did not find more.  The blood is cleaned up.

zthe