Bulbs!? Corms?! Seeds!?

[NativeOddity]

Hello all! Are bulbs and/or seeds anything anyone can help me out with? I have pics of lily bulbs and corms I was wondering if they are doing well. I dug them up a week or two ago.

 

[NativeOddity]

I posted by mistake… I also have sunflowers I am drying. I have them outside but it is wet out there currently and although as you see in the pic the head was dry the seeds are still white?? Is that ok?

 

[NativeOddity]

You know I don’t know, but what about the beans? I have taken beans from pods that look like this before. Is that ok? They are loose I am just so not sure. As much as I google I confuse myself more

 

[NativeOddity]

Beans have collected

 

[Marck]

The Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds both look fully ripe. In any case, when the weather gets cold and wet, it is best to harvest what you can.

It is also good you dug up your Gladiolus corms in as they will not overwinter in your climate. keep them in a cool, dark, dry place.

As for your lily bulbs, most often Lilium can be kept in the ground, but perhaps you are located in a particularly cold part of New York state. Is it common in your local area to dig up lily (Lilium) bulbs in the Fall?

 

[Esther Knapicius]

@NativeOddity . for some reason your question is not clear to me. I see from where you live, New York, that your mostly in zone 6. I am in zone 6 down here in PA. I keep all my bulbs in the ground forever. I have planted a mini variety of Gladiolus and that also remains in the ground. When you buy all bulbs or corns, the description that comes with it usually says their zone. I keep all my Lilies in ground also. As far as your sunflower seeds, for me it would not be worth dealing with it, I would have just left the sunflowers alone and let the birds have at it. Sunflower seeds are very cheap in the package to get in the spring, and there are several varieties to plant to have fun with. I hope I sort of understood what you were asking.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

You know I don’t know, but what about the beans? I have taken beans from pods that look like this before. Is that ok? They are loose I am just so not sure. As much as I google I confuse myself more

one more, the beans, are these from your veggie garden? are you planning to dry them to eat? or plant next year. again, there are many varieties of beans to explore, and a package of them is cheap for next year. and a package in the food store dry is cheap. Again, not sure your question. hope not to insult, trying to figure out what your really asking.

 

[NativeOddity]

The Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds both look fully ripe. In any case, when the weather gets cold and wet, it is best to harvest what you can.

It is also good you dug up your Gladiolus corms in as they will not overwinter in your climate. keep them in a cool, dark, dry place.

As for your lily bulbs, most often Lilium can be kept in the ground, but perhaps you are located in a particularly cold part of New York state. Is it common in your local area to dig up lily (Lilium) bulbs in the Fall?

I am new to this area, but from what I have read it is too cold here for them. I live in zone 4b Adirondacks

 

[NativeOddity]

one more, the beans, are these from your veggie garden? are you planning to dry them to eat? or plant next year. again, there are many varieties of beans to explore, and a package of them is cheap for next year. and a package in the food store dry is cheap. Again, not sure your question. hope not to insult, trying to figure out what your really asking.

Not at all dear you are very kind to help me out. I am planning to eat them just because we are trying to eat what we grow more than purchasing from a store. Same with the sunflower seeds. I live in the Adirondacks and our winter snow reaches atleast 6 feet! It’s insane! But gorgeous to see when your not freezing your tush.

I am planning to attempt to save sunflower seeds to see if they will germinate for me, again, we are just going for a very self providing lifestyle. I have saved my seeds from the nasturtiums and borage I had planted to try to germinate for next year too.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

@NativeOddity , you do know you can eat nasturtiums, they are good in potato or mac salad, or regular salad, a nice pepper flavor, the leaves that is. the flower I have never eaten. I found that the white yellow ones are more delicate in flavor, the deep red more pungent. We were just up by the Adirondacks on the Vermont side, got to get to the Champlain islands, just beautiful Remember the water method for the sunflower seeds, sink or float determines good or bad.

Ok, so you live in Zone 4. sometimes we get to 5 below zero here with 28 inches of snow. my stuff survives as described above.

 

[Marck]

I am new to this area, but from what I have read it is too cold here for them. I live in zone 4b Adirondacks

Yes, the Adirondacks are the coldest part of New York. Some lily bulb are not hardy to Zone 4. Do you know which kind of Lily you are growing? Also it is also very unlikely that Gladiolus would overwinter. Even the somewhat hardier dwarf varieties (Gladiolus nanus) are not reliably perennial in Zone 4.
I think it is always good plan to save some seeds of what you have grown, especially if they have done well for you. Year after year, you will slowly select for an ecotype that is especially well-adapted to your own garden conditions.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Maybe if you layer the areas with some straw that will give protection. @NativeOddity

 

[NativeOddity]

@NativeOddity , you do know you can eat nasturtiums, they are good in potato or mac salad, or regular salad, a nice pepper flavor, the leaves that is. the flower I have never eaten. I found that the white yellow ones are more delicate in flavor, the deep red more pungent. We were just up by the Adirondacks on the Vermont side, got to get to the Champlain islands, just beautiful Remember the water method for the sunflower seeds, sink or float determines good or bad.

Ok, so you live in Zone 4. sometimes we get to 5 below zero here with 28 inches of snow. my stuff survives as described above.

Yes as a matter of fact I do! I keep a jar arranged in the kitchen so we can add it to our meals. Have you ever tried pickling the seeds? It’s called poor mans capers if you enjoy the pickled taste you will love these! They are also great in salads. I have eaten the flowers, they’re just as delicious and even tastier in my opinion then the leaves and stems. I also use nasturtiums medicinally, which is what my garden really is for us. Our food and health store lol. I have dried plenty of flowers and have used a poultice freshly picked from my bed to help aid a cut. It works wonderfully.

The view up here is just spectacular! I still have to explore more myself. That temperature is great! We have gone way below that on some days and like I said the snow reached way above my height.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

@NativeOddity , no have not tried to pickle them, don't grow a lot to do that. This year I missed starting them, too much traveling I guess. good to know the added medical application they have. God seems to have placed lots of plants on this earth for us to discover instead of man made chemicals. I am a big component of herbs, continue to explore that area as needed. BTW, my favorite seed source is John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, they are on line, and will send a catalog with request. they carry the blond/white nasturtiums . They also have numerous types of tomatoes, peppers, squash, etc.

 

[NativeOddity]

Thank you so much. I agree that indeed our earth is for us to nurture and vice versa… that is the cycle of life! I will check that site out. Btw have you ever planted tulips?