Mom saved seeds from every plant in her garden, including flowers. I don’t recall her ever buying any seeds at the store. When she passed away, I took a half gallon jar of white half runner bean seeds from her freezer and planted some and refroze the rest. She put notes in her jars of seeds with a description and where she got them. She told a story about going to a yard sale and seeing some rare green beans drying on the hood of a car. She asked the homeowner if she would please sell her just one or two. The woman was rude and refused her request. Mom told that story for years. Mom was always so willing to share and couldn’t get over the woman’s attitude. The store bought green bean seeds don’t produce as well and taste totally different from the ones I save.
—Shirl
I’ve used some of Granny’s seeds this growing season. Like Shirl’s mother, Granny kept her’s in the freezer and wrote little notes about where they came from and what year they were saved. She always signed the note with her initials or mom.
Planting Granny’s seeds and seeing the plants grow has been bittersweet. I know Granny would be glad I used them. I’m hoping they do real good and I can continue to save seeds from the plants.
Last night’s video: Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy in Appalachia.
Tipper
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I’ve saved seeds but just put them in envelopes or plastic bags. Didn’t know to freeze them. I enjoy watching your YouTube posts and The Blind Pig.
I would have a hard time walking away from someone that wouldn’t sell or give me a couple of beans for seed. I would have to give them “a piece of my mind” although I have been told to be careful about doing that – I didn’t have enough to spare! I would think in past times before hybrid seed it would have been common for folks to save and exchange seed with one another. Some of the best tasting and size watermelons (60 lbs or more) were grown from seed my wife’s grandfather had saved from year to year. He had no idea of their name.
Seeds are thought provoking. Some, like carrot seeds, are so very tiny to contain life. It just looks impossible. Each seed is a mystery if we have never seen the parent plant. And they can be very, very patient and durable if stored well until conditions are right to grow. We also who believe are seeds to what we will be revealed as. I have no idea whether we will have the ability to be astonished. If so, we will be. The bible phrase is “the glory that shall be revealed in us”; not “to us” but “in us”. Biblically, “glory” is related with “light”. So also with unknown seeds, we can’t know the beauty of their flowers until time for them to bloom.
I still have seeds my parents saved that are probably so old they won’t germinate but I just cannot get rid of them. I don’t remember seeds that were given away but I’m sure they did that because they were always sharing cuttings of plants and recipes. I don’t understand people who do not share. It might have been inconsiderate of me but in one place I lived as an adult there was a particular candy recipe a lady would not share for years. She made it to sell. My mother had given it to me and others because it had been given to her. I shared in a cookbook a group was having printed. It was not easy to make and not everyone would attempt it so I didn’t understand why anyone would not share for those who did not want to make the candy to sell and would still buy that lady’s candy. Sharing seeds, cuttings and recipes was our way of life.
Praying for Papaw Tony.
I cannot even believe that woman wouldn’t share some of her seeds. It is such a joy to share seeds and plants and also fills our gardens with and extra level of beauty as we reflect on who and when we got various plants from! I’m thankful some of Granny’s seeds have germinated for you and you are able to enjoy them. I can’t imagine how bittersweet this must be though. Hugs to you and your family as you continue to go through her things. Thank you for all you are sharing with us and for taking us along on the journey. So thrilled to hear sweet little B will be going on a big adventure. Thanks for keeping us updated, Debbie.
Mom would be so happy to know that the seeds she saved have provided for my sister and me for many years and continue to do so this gardening season. I have saved seeds from my three favorite tomato varieties and planted twice as many as I need so I can share them with family and friends. It’s shocking how much the stores charge for a single tomato plant, as I’m sure you discovered when you had to buy yours this year. I’m always worried about experiencing a similar issue with potting soil and not being able to find the heirloom plants I love.
Years ago, an elderly lady from my hometown shared some banana muskmelon seeds with me and advised me to save the seeds because she was getting old, and I might never find anything like them again. I was heartbroken when I misplaced the seeds after growing them for many years. She was right—none of the seeds I’ve ordered from individuals on Etsy and eBay come close to the size and taste of the fruit that the old lady claimed was the best-tasting thing you could ever put in your mouth.
Shire’s mom’s story of the rude woman is so sad. I can imagine her mom being so giving and tender hearted was hurt by the woman’s rudeness as well as shocked. We all have to step back sometimes when people are rude to think what must they be going through now or lived through to make them so rude and hateful. I’ve found from experience that inside every rude person is a broken heart and sometimes a devastated soul. We all must remember too, that even the kindest and gentlest person can turn into the rudest and meanest person in their elder years if they have dementia. We just need to remember in that situation that is not who they really are, it’s the disease they have been burdened with. I’m beginning to think that broken hearts and devastated souls are about equal to diseases such as dementia. Pray for others and ask God for strength to treat every one with His grace like He gives us each day. I know I have to do that on a daily basis for myself and for others to give me grace for my many shortcomings.
That’s a beautiful idea-saving seed for your children. I KNOW IN MY HEART somehow Granny knows and has pride over you planting her seed that meant so much to her and now hopefully you too. I’d have thought to myself about the old mean bean selfish biddie who was rude and wouldn’t share with Shirl-you can take them beans and shove ‘em where the sun ain’t never shined. Lol I hope her beans dried up like her ugly attitude and amounted to naught.
I can’t imagine refusing to share a seed or a cutting! That would truly make my day!!! Just yesterday, after chemo and lunch on a dear friend’s patio, we rode over to visit with her mom(will be 80 in Dec) and admire her yard and recently added additions of plants and perennials flowers. We “might” have staked a claim or 2 for some seeds and cutting for this fall or next spring. Three very happy ladies in our 50s, 60, and 70s walking barefoot in the grass talking flowers. What a perfect afternoon. Where there’s flowers and the thoughts of next year’s planting…there’s ALWAYS hope♡ Good morning Tipper and Acorns! Papaw Tony is deep in my thoughts and the thought of Little B getting to have an adventure makes my heart swell with happiness ♡♡
We have beans in the freezer too. We call them Italian flower beans, because they have been handed down from hubby’s grandfather and father. They look a lot like some of the beans you grow. They are large with beautiful purple and pink and white colors. They are very meaty and make a thick brown broth when cooked. We have tried and tried to grow them, but there is something that clips them off as soon the flower begins growing into a tiny bean. We have tried netting but they got under the net. We really think it’s a hummingbird because they can maneuver up under things a lot easier. We always manage to grow enough for seed, but rarely enough to eat anymore. We are going to gift some of these beans to a man at church that asked for some to try. I hope he is successful and maybe he can give us a few for seed later on. I hope all the seeds you planted of Granny’s do well for you.
Don’t you just love the connection to the past that saved seeds can give us? Unfortunately, my mom never saved seeds, but I have a bean seed from her father’s home place in West Virginia. My great-aunt passed them to her daughter-in-law, who shared some with me. I don’t know what kind they are since my great-aunt only ever called them “Texie beans” after the lady she got them from. They are a drying bean and they are delicious enough that we use them in any recipe calling for kidney or pinto beans.
Loved hearing about saving seeds.
I enjoyed reading Shirl’s story and about your mom too. It reminds me so much of my mother. My mother saved seeds in old baby food jars she had saved in the freezer too though I don’t think she made any notes on them other than maybe the year she saved them. She usually signed her notes too with her (all three) initials : ) Remembering that always makes me smile.