A Seed Saver's Garden

[Pulsegleaner]

Wow, this is attention to detail @Pulsegleaner. But I guess if you want to get all your basil seeds there is no other way is there. It just seems like that would be a daily check to pick each pod as they ripen. With seed so small I guess I have to face the fact that it has to be done this way, there isn't much room for error unless I'm growing a whole bunch of plants, which I'm not.

Well, I always wondered if the lower basil pods were opening and dispersing through maturity as I couldn't tell for certain with the naked eye. Good to know that, so I can be more careful in the future with this seed. I was always hoping those lower pods were staying closed waiting for the upper friends, so they could all dry synchronously.

Forgot one big thing , NEVER try harvesting when it has just rained! Basil seeds have a gel coating that swells with moisture, and it is sticky as hell (Asians drink basil seeds for the gel).

Question about mint seeds - is Balkan Mint the same? With seeds like dust? I'm overwintering that right now with the hopes of getting seeds. But I'm not going to pursue those seeds if they're like dust. I don't remember planting dust like seeds when I first put them in the soil, but I can't remember clearly. Maybe I did.

Not sure, as I nave never grown that one. But probably, as the number of plants in the mint family that have seeds large enough to pick up easily is pretty small. Off the top of my head, besides basil, the only two I can think of are some of the sages and Musky Mint (Hyptis suaveolens).

 

[ducks4you]

I am anxious to try anything that does NOT put seeds into the ground for birds to come and eat!
I Swear I have lost more seeds to marauding birds than anything else!

 

[heirloomgal]

Forgot one big thing , NEVER try harvesting when it has just rained! Basil seeds have a gel coating that swells with moisture, and it is sticky as hell (Asians drink basil seeds for the gel).


Not sure, as I nave never grown that one. But probably, as the number of plants in the mint family that have seeds large enough to pick up easily is pretty small. Off the top of my head, besides basil, the only two I can think of are some of the sages and Musky Mint (Hyptis suaveolens).

I have seen glass bottled drinks at the supermarket, I think they're from India, which has basil seeds in it. Usually the liquid is pink or green. I've always marveled at the crazy suspension of those seeds in there. They don't sink. A part of me is curious to try a basil seed drink like that, I can't imagine basil seeds taste like basil the herb?

 

[heirloomgal]

I am anxious to try anything that does NOT put seeds into the ground for birds to come and eat!
I Swear I have lost more seeds to marauding birds than anything else!

That's a tough one ducks because so many things make seed heads!! What kind of birds show up that do the damage? Sand hill cranes? I know the last couple years some kind of birds, probably robins or sparrows, have started to attack my drying pea vines. Drying lettuce heads too. Having a weasel around, now THAT gets rid of birds in no time. I just don't like it when they take ducks. I'm sure weasels collect the birds and store them underground the way squirrels do acorns, that's how they can eliminate them from your yard in a matter of a week or two. One year I had a small flock of pigeons that would just not go away. Until a weasel showed up. Poof, no more pigeons.

 

[Pulsegleaner]

I have seen glass bottled drinks at the supermarket, I think they're from India, which has basil seeds in it. Usually the liquid is pink or green. I've always marveled at the crazy suspension of those seeds in there. They don't sink. A part of me is curious to try a basil seed drink like that, I can't imagine basil seeds taste like basil the herb?

Pink is probably rose flavor, green might be pandanus (screw pine).

The seeds don't really taste of ANYTHING (maybe a little nutty) they're there for texture. I've never drank the drinks, but I HAVE had falooda (rose and basil seed) flavored kulfi (sort of Indian ice cream.)

The seeds don't sink because the gel keeps them suspended.