Resting

I'm not an authority in this area, but if memory serves me, seeds need a resting and drying period before they are ready to germinate. It pretty much follows Nature's usual course: The fruit falls to the ground; it rots; the seed gets covered with leaves or mulch; it dries out over Winter and (if covered with humus in some way) is ready to germinate the next Spring. Most seeds benefit from freezing, i.e., overwintering. Some (like beans) don't require this as they will germinate in the pod if it is too damp!

The best policy would be to store seed for as long as you can and plant your oldest seed first (FIFO). If your storage methods are inadequate your germination rates will decline, but the ones that do germinate will pass on that survivability. Most of the veggies we will be cultivating will undergo genetic alteration during the Aftertime as we will be unintentionally (out of necessity) be selecting for low light survival and high production. Collect and save as much seed as you can and label each gathering of seed by year. Use the oldest seed first and attempt to maintain enough seed stock to hold newly harvested seed for at least a year.

When planting year-round in a climate-controlled environment, you will not need to plant quite as much as you will have year-round production and the need to preserve some (most?) of the harvest (by canning or freezing) for the winter will be eliminated.

Offered by Roger.