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Zoom into seed saving with free class

Online workshop offers tips to save money, preserve heirloom varieties

Tomato slice with seeds on a green cutting board
Found a new favorite heirloom tomato? Learn how to save seeds
from it and other summer vegetables in a free class  Saturday.
(Photo: Kathy Morrison)
An easy way to save money while vegetable gardening: Save seeds from what you grow.

But how do you know a seed will be viable? How long does it have to stay on the plant to mature? And how do you know if that seed will grow “true”?

Find out in an informative and free virtual workshop, presented by the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Nevada County

Set for 9 am. Saturday, Aug. 7, “Seed Saving” will cover the basics of harvesting seed from summer vegetables to regrow next season.

“There are a number of reasons to save seeds from summer harvests,” say the master gardeners. “Saving money and promoting genetic diversity are two reasons, and it's also fun to continue to grow what looks beautiful and tastes good!”

We can enjoy heirloom varieties that have been grown for generations thanks to seed savers. These techniques can be used for many ornamental plants and flowers as well as vegetables.

“This workshop will help participants discover the benefits of seed saving and how to preserve heirloom varieties,” say the master gardeners.

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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 9

Be careful walking or working in wet soil; it compacts easily.

* Keep the irrigation turned off; the ground is plenty wet with more rain on the way.

* February serves as a wake-up call to gardeners. This month, you can transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.

* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and cauliflower – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.

* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.

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