Hi Manfred: Yes a pit dug in the ground, not freezing,so they would be subject to the forces of the earth over the crystallization period (Jan l5-Feb15). Similar to the horn remedies. Although the earth is warmer in the winter than during the summer and seems to be warmer every year so what results one would get here I am not sure. As to which seeds would survive freezing it would likely be those that need cold stratification(echinacea, flower seeds and some others that I don't recall presently) and possibly those which are larger and not so subject to freezer burn. Yes freezing does more closely follow the natural cycle(during this time period) but anything which is either frozen or heated could lose some of those forces inherent in nature. With grass seed the freezing would no doubt have made it better as we are looking at seed which is closer to the wild stock. I would guess that your friend used the fridge. By intentional grid we have a place for the seeds which is under devic guardianship and yes have asked the Seed Deva to hold and protect her bounty. Black root Salsify grows in abundance here and we don't collect those seeds. You will often find me out pulling that plant close to blooming time so I don't end up with seeds in the window screens.! Guess I should be cooking it and saving the seeds too? Judging by its numbers, even after my pulling, it is a survivor with an incredible seed dispersal mechanism. Short note on "anything frozen or heated.." This would apply more to the highly domesticated seeds and foods. The wild ones don't need any management. Thanks for the good questions. We hear it is minus 44 in Ontario. True? Major crystallization! Blessings, Barbara and Woody Aurora Farm. the only unsubsidized, family-run seed farm in North America offering garden seeds grown using Rudolf Steiner's methods of spiritual agriculture. http://www.kootenay.com/~aurora
-----Original Message----- From: manfred <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 12:44 PM Subject: Re: Seed-freeze period > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Aurora Farm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 5:58 AM >Subject: Re: Seed-freeze period > > >> Hello Manfred: >> Seeds need to be kept cool and dry(no humidity) and they are best kept in >> glass containers for storage(there is the silica again). We also keep the >> seeds here at Aurora in dark glass containers. >> There has always been the question here as whether to place all the seeds >> into the ground(in their containers) for this crystallization period we >are >> now in. We have decided against that for > > >Thanks, Barbara/Woody: > >When you say in the ground, i assume as in a pit or dug rootcellar, where it >does not go below freezing. >What i was looking for is any knowledge/experience with exposure of any and >all seeds to below-freezing temperature for at least 2 weeks. Would they all >survive? Does this not most closely imitate the natural process of >survival/selection.... given the additional control of pre-dried, >dark-glassed, non-condensing enclosed protection. >Which seeds will not survive that process? Any? Is there a list? >(I recall an older gardener who said that he always put his grass-seed in >the freezer before spring, because its "better that way") ?? >He's gone now, and i'm wondering if he said fridge, and not freezer.? >Can you remind me of how long the crystallization period is? >By "intentional grid", do you mean a specifically charged area for the seed >haven... or an intuited site which you then assigned to that task with devic >guardianship? >Your parsnip results are impressive! Do you also have improved longevity for >blackroot/salsify? >Thanks for your comments in this busy time for you. >..manfred... >
