Seed to seed – a New Years resolution

When my family grilled me about my New Years resolution this year I spontaneously said I would plant 365 trees this year. I have no idea where the thought come but it was said and witnessed and akin to a ‘pinky promise’ as far as my kids were concerned.

So driving home from the festivities I decided that the trees should be of the edible variety and that they would grow from seeds that I have kept from food we bought to eat.

Now I know that seeds don’t necessarily grow plants true to type, but where’s the fun? I like mystery and I love watching plants germinate. We may get some duds, but we may get some good plants or better still something fantastic.

Anyway these are my rules:

1) 365 trees/large shrubs to be planted before 2015
2) all must be seedlings from food eaten throughout the year
3) measure of success will be when plants grow and produce their own seed
4) planting to keep in line with permaculture principles.

New Years Day

Avocado preparation, all unfortunately Hass but I will collect more as the seasons pass. We eat a lot of avocado but it gets frosty here and they generally don’t do well, so I’m hoping for a strong seedling.

Kiwi fruit pulped and cleaned. This apparently works, but I will have no way of determining the sex of the vines so will need to plant multiple ones.

Mango seeds, some were old and dry so I have no idea if they will work but no harm in trying. I punched a hole through the seed and started a 14 day soak, changing the water daily.

Made a wicking garden bed for a germination of smaller seeds.

Used ‘Baggie’ method to start germinating apple and pear seeds in the fridge. Also tried pine nuts and passion fruit at room temp.

Seeds planted in mini wicking bed (left overs from Xmas)
1) cherry
2) date,
3) pomegranate
4) green kiwi

Kids curious but remain largely undisturbed. I need a larger kitchen bench.