Many seeds are harvested for commercial sale and by this they do not get to experience the natural cycle of growing seasons. Many seeds may need to be tricked so they think that they have went through the cold, the rain and the heat. With this said, take a look at the following tips that may help you with either your Annual Flower Seeds, Perennial Flower Seeds, Vegetable Seeds, Herb Seeds and WIldflower Seeds. Remember that the goal is to mimic the seeds natural conditions.

Moisture Will Start the Process:

My grandmother would always soak her seeds, by this easy and simple procedure you are exposing the seed embryo to moisture. This is one of the first requirements for making the seed want to grow. She would pour very warm water into a shallow pan and empty her seeds into the water. You would spread them out for a flat layer and let them soak for no more than 15 hours. Any longer than that you might be risking the seed to rot. As the seed swells in the water the embryo begins to plump up and out. You can pre-soak almost any seed, but do keep in mind that you really should NOT pre-soak any pelleted or coated seeds. Be carefull as to only pre-soak the seeds the evening before that you will be planting into pots or if you are direct sowing the next morning. When you take your seeds from their soak- make sure that the soil in which you are planting into is moist at the time of placing the seeds. Keep the seeds well watered until the seedlings are up and have their first true leaves. This process will save you a few days in the germination adventure. There are a few other techniques that can help break the dormancy of stubborn seeds. They will follow in the next paragraph.

Stratification by Mimicking their Natural Process

This is a large word that simply means of period of a moist and cold process that tricks the seed into what would be a natural winter. If you are going to sow indoors in the spring, soak the seeds and then place them into a ziplock plastic bag that is filled halfway with a moist, seed starting medium on top of this soil, then add another inch of the same moist medium on top of the seeds. Place this bag into the refrigrator in an area that will not be disturbed at all at 34-42 degrees and check your bag weekly for signs of germination. When roots begin to sprout, take a spoon and scoop out gently and transfer the new seedlings to a moist pot. Take special care as to not disturb the new growth by damaging the tender root system. From this point take care of your plant as you would care for any other seedling.

If you have seeds that need a cold treatment, you can plant outdoors in the fall or you can store the seeds in a refrigrator until you are ready to start them in the following spring. For outdoor starting of seeds in fall or winter, you can plant the seed in a pot as usual however cover with a very thin layer of fine gravel on top so the rain will not wash the seed somewhere other than where you planted the seed.

Save Time by Direct Sowing in the Pot

If you have seeds that direct you into staring the seed 8-10 weeks before the last frost date, you have a slow starter seed. These seeds can be directly sown into a pot that are at least 2.5 inches in diameter. By doing this you are eliminating the need for transplanting.

‘Aristotle’ basil is compact, mounding and flavorful, perfect for the porch or patio.
If you have ever had even a fleeting thought on trying a little herb growing for own culinary creations, then by all mean remember the name Aristotle. ‘Aristotle’ is a relatively new compact basil that will thrill with both its ease at growing and its flavor in the kitchen.
Last week I wrote about the ‘Tumbling Tom’ tomato and how vegetables were going compact or even in baskets for today’s urban gardener. Well, ‘Aristotle’ basil fits this theme perfectly. In a container or the landscape for that matter, it looks like a 12-inch dwarf evergreen shrub, at least until you brush the aromatic foliage with your hands. As the name might suggest, many consider it a fine Greek basil.
Whether you say “bay-zil” or “baa-zil,” we can agree on one thing: Juicy tomato chunks mixed with olive oil, freshly torn basil and garlic spooned over hot pasta is a true feast.
Besides having extraordinary taste, basil is incredibly easy to grow. ‘Aristotle’ is perfect for tucking into unused garden corners, displaying among vegetables, edging a flower garden or along a path where they gently release pungent anise aroma when brushed. Because it is a smaller basil, it makes a superb edging for the perennial border, or vegetable garden. But don’t forget the container on the porch, patio or deck.
Basil asks for nothing more in the garden than full sun and well-drained soil. It grows quickly from seed, but several varieties of transplants can be found in the herb section at your garden center. Basil thrives during warm summer weather and excels in fall plantings as well.
Harvest basil just as the flower buds begin to form. The leaves contain the most concentrated oils and provide the best flavor and fragrance at this time. Once the plant begins to expend energy in flower and seed production, it loses some of its potency.
Cut or pinch basil just above a leaf or pair of leaves, removing no more than one-fourth the plant. This leaves enough foliage to keep the plant healthy and looking good in the landscape.
Simple air-drying produces tasty basil for use all winter. Rinse the leaves in cool water and gently shake off extra moisture. When thoroughly dry, tie a handful of stems firmly into a bundle. Place the bundle in a paper bag, gather the top of the bag around the stems and tie again.
Label, and hang the bag in a dry place where the temperature doesn’t get above 80 degrees. After two to four weeks, the herbs should be dry and crumbly. Once basil is dried, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard. Keep the leaves whole if possible to preserve the oils, and crush or grind only when using them.
For the fullest flavor in the kitchen, add fresh basil to dishes within the last 5 or 10 minutes of cooking time. Use fresh in tomato dishes, soups, salads, sauces and pasta. Its flavor blends well with other herbs like rosemary, oregano, thyme and sage.
‘Aristotle’ via http://www.2bseeds.com/container-aristotle-basil-seeds.shtml and plant your own.
First published on January 7, 2012 at 12:00 am
From Norman Winter, McClatchy Newspapers

When I went to 2BSeeds to place my order I saw that 2BSeeds had an offer to help out those out of work with some free tomatoes seeds and a 40% discount coupon. This was very exciting because of my limited budget. If I could get a 40% discount on my seed purchase I could get all of the seeds I needed – not just the few I could afford.
I emailed 2BSeeds at custserv@2bseeds.com to see if I qualified for the program.

Linda wrote me back right away to let me know that I could use the discount program. I felt truly blessed. The discount allowed me to receive $90 worth of the best quality seeds for only $50!

There are a lot of people talking about helping their fellow man in today’s hard times. But 2BSeeds is ACTUALLY doing something about it. THANK YOU SO MUCH 2BSEEDS!!!

You have earned a loyal customer for life!
Jerry Henricks, Russellville, TN

Seeds Of Compassion

Here’s some hopeful news we have to share and which may do a bit to restore your faith in humanity. Our highly valued clients of longstanding, Dan and Linda Busch of 2BSeeds.com, are doing something very real to help American families get through lean times. 2Bseeds is offering a packet of free tomato seeds to anyone who is unemployed or who is trying to plant a vegetable garden to help feed his or her family this year.
Everyone talks about the need to help others, but it’s beautiful to see a company come up with a small yet utterly meaningful way to actually do this! The Busch family’s great-grandparents did a similar act of kindness back in the years of Great Depression, giving away free tomatoes to hungry folks at the farmers’ market. The wonderful thing about this present day offer 2BSeeds is making is that these tomato seeds are an heirloom red tomato, meaning gardening families can save some of the seed for next year from this summer’s tomato crop, further increasing their future food security. It’s a little bit like the adage of giving a man a fish, or teaching a man to fish: the effects of this simple gift from this caring family could be very far reaching for their customers. We are really proud to know such good people.
Praise and thanks are already rolling into this Colorado-based seed company’s inboxes.

From Solas Web Design- SEOigloo Blog-Miriam Ellis

The Pride in Growing since 1870

We are the fifth generation of Busch’s to grow vegetables, flowers and herbs. We have since developed the 2BSeeds Company. Our statement was to ensure that all home gardeners could have the same quality of seeds that professional growers have enjoyed for years. 2B Seeds’ is a family business, even with grand-children enjoying the “Love of the Seed”. Dan Busch-one of the family members, has been a grower for over 40 years, and has served as the President of Colorado Greenhouse Growers Association.

We strongly believe that the best gardening results start from the best beginnings, and that is what we are making available to you, our customer. Our primary focus is to ensure that you are successful in your plantings with quality seeds.

Take control of your health and safety of your family by growing your own vegetables with our selection of seeds.

Allowing someone other than yourself to retain control of your food supply is too important to overlook. Food not only is critical for one’s self-being, it is also a basic necessity and cornerstone of our culture. Without food, nothing can survive. View our line of organic vegetable seeds here!

Hi Everyone!
We are so excited to be bringing to you these incredible sauces, as we have personally used them with many dinners for our friends and family. If you know of anyone that needs Gluten Free sauces this will be a great addition for their meal selection. The Meals in a Minute Gluten Free, MSG Free Sauces have been formulated, tested and bottled to provide you with Gourmet Restaurant Quality taste, ingredients and fragrances. You will get the secret of a chef’s kitchen in every MiM jar. You can find all of the products at www.mealsinaminute.net/2bseeds. Or go to http://www.mealsinaminute.com and our chef consultant # is 1124.

It is so easy! Just add Chicken, meat, fish or tofu along with your choice of fresh vegetables or even the ones that you have put in your freezer from last years harvest and cook in a wok or saucepan and then add your choice of sauce for tonights dinner. Not only are they delicious and Gluten-Free, they are also Dairy Free, MSG-Free, some are Vegan as well as Peanut and Sesame Oil Free.

Pad Thai
Ingredients

Vegetable Oil 1 Tbsp
Egg 1
Shrimp (de-veined and shelled) 8 – 10
Rice Noodles, softened in water (about ¼ package dried noodle sticks) 3 Cups
Tamarind Sauce 4 Tbsp
Scallions/Chives, cut into 1-in. lengths 2 Stems
Bean Sprouts or thinly sliced Cabbage ½ Cup
Paprika ½ Tsp
Lime 1 Wedge
Ground Roasted Peanuts (optional) 1 Tbsp

Cooking Instructions Pour boiling water over dried noodles until covered. Let noodles soften for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside. Heat wok or stir-fry pan until hot at med-high heat. Add oil, then egg and scramble until cooked. Add shrimp and cook until partially done (about 30 seconds). Add noodles; toss until soft and noodles start to clump together (about 60-90 seconds). Add Tamarind Sauce; stir until shrimp is cooked. Add scallions, bean sprouts or cabbage, and paprika and mix until heated through (about 10 sec). Serve with a wedge of lime and roasted peanuts.
Watch on You Tube- How To
href=”http://mealsinaminute.com/Videos.aspx“>

Introducing our new Organics and Wildflower Selections.

We will definitely have a bounty this year. How are your gardens coming along? Drop us a line and let us know.

Did you know that this year we are having a contest for the best garden- may it be for Vegetables or for Flowers. Just send us a picture of your garden and you may be the winner of $100.00 of free seeds for next year. You can send your pictures to custserv@2bseeds.com. The drawing will be August 31st 2010. Good Luck to all of you!!

Dan & Linda Busch
Owners of 2BSeeds