Sunflowers are a member of the Family Asteraceae or Aster family of the genus Helianthus L. or sunflower P containing the species Helianthus annuus L. or common sunflower P. The plant is native to North America whose original inhabitants cultivated the plant to its current physical configuration.
Farmers have been saving their own seeds for ages. There are many reasons you should save your own seeds too. For starters, it can save you money, but there are many more reasons than this. Here's why you should start saving your seeds, and how to do it.
If you live in an apartment (like me), you know the woes of wanting a garden but not having enough space for one. Thankfully, you can successfully grow an indoor container garden if you have even just one windowsill that gets enough light. Come summer, all my windowsills are bursting with life, and trust me when I say it's the best feeling ever. I recommend growing plants from seed, then transferring them over to a pot on your windowsill. Here are three easy plants to start growing now for a beautiful indoor garden.
The first time I saw a seed bomb it was in a Facebook video. Literally, I’ve been obsessed ever since. They are just the cutest things, so easy to make, and the best way to safely refurbish vacant lots. You can make a bunch of them and toss them in areas that really need more plants without having to worry about someone seeing. Since they decompose on their own, nature will take care of the rest. Unfortunately, you never know what is or isn't private property, so seed bombs are the ultimate discreet way of planting something (without spending much money or leaving any evidence).
If you aren’t familiar with heirloom gardening, now is the perfect time to learn. Heirloom gardening requires planting only heirloom variety plants. Heirloom plants are planted by seeds that have been passed down and grown from generation to generation, although the definition may vary for some. The opposite of heirloom planting is modern hybrid planting. Heirloom plants and seeds are different from modern hybrid plants and seeds because they are open-pollinated, true breed, and they can be saved by the gardener from year to year.
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), the magical seed known for its high nutritional content and grain-like texture, is also incredibly versatile. My first introduction to quinoa came as I was working for a natural foods cooperative; I was new(er) to the all-natural, organic food arena and every which way I went someone was talking about quinoa. “It’s a great source of protein,” some said, “it’s filled with vitamins and minerals,” said others, “it’s gluten free and easy to digest,” said more people still.