Episode I : Cold Stratifying
The process of growing your own trees from seed is very easy and well worth it.
To start the process you need to gather the seeds, soil, a spray bottle with water, a permanent marker and Sandwich type baggies.
( or larger if you plan to do more than 8 large seeds or 15 small seeds)
1. Mark the baggies for each seed type, date it and add a cup of soil and the seeds.
(up to 8 per baggie of the larger varieties, and 15 of the smaller types like cherries)
2. Add just enough water to the soil and seeds to moisten it, but do not saturate the soil.
3. Place in a safe spot in your refrigerator to spend a few months. This simulates the winter environment they need before they are to germinate.( if you can put them in a container with a lid they will be safer)
4. Once the predetermined time has gone by (several months :3 to 5 depending on when you collect your seeds and what your winter season looks like!)
You will move on to the next step of Germinating them.........
Are you wondering what types of seeds to choose? Where to get them? Do they need to be a specific variety? Organic?
The answers are, It doesn't matter.....Get them from fruit you like to eat from the grocery store..........No..........No..... but you may want them to be organic depending on your personal beliefs of our food system!
WHy doesn't it matter?
Because the seeds will not be true to type no matter where you get them from. Trees like apples, peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries are all grafted onto what is known as root stock. That doesn't mean that the trees you grow from seed won't bare fruit, they will! But it won't be the same as the fruit you saved the seeds from. It will be like the tree the root stock is from. It may taste just as good, or it might not.
Our plan is to grow from seeds, graft onto the root stock varieties that we like and are adapted to grow in our climate. But we also want to know what fruit may come from the saved seeds as well. The best of both worlds....we hope!
Because we practice permaculture principles we plan on growing many trees from seed and one day hope to have a beautiful food forest that will feed us , our neighbors, friends and family for many years to come. I am also a part of a local food forest initiative to start a food forest in our town to help bring local sustainability and food sovereignty to our community! In growing our own trees we can help cut the costs of starting a massive project like this get going........
If you are into this sort of thing please find a local group or start one of your own! That is what we are doing and I can't wait to put it into action!
Next time ... Episode II: Germinating & Potting..... See you soon!
