Seed Library

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

When seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin to stand about 6 inches apart to reduce overcrowding and encourage healthier bush beans. Thinned out plants can be eaten as microgreens which can be eaten alone or used as a topper on salads, sandwiches, etc.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave plants to flower.
• Seed pods will form from the flowers.
• Leave standing in the garden until dry.
• Carefully pull seed pods from plant, remove seeds from pods, and place only the seeds into the envelope.

A suggested minimum return amount is 2 tablespoons.

Tips and Tricks

• Cross-pollinating, although not often, can occur between bush beans so be sure to isolate different bush bean varieties when growing for seed (at least 20 feet).
• Allow at least 1 bush bean plant in the garden, with 10 pods left on the plant to continue to dry for seed production. Seed pods will not split when drying in the garden.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

Carefully transplant cucumber plants to prevent damage. Thoroughly water (need one inch per week for proper growth). Keep different varieties at least ½ mile away to avoid cross pollination.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave a couple of cucumbers on the plant to continue ripening.
• The cucumbers will turn yellow or orange and lose firmness as the seeds mature.
• Wait a few weeks until after the color changes before harvesting.
• Cut the harvested cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seed and pulp from the seed cavity.
• Put into an open container like a glass jar.
• Allow the seed/pulp mixture to sit for up to 3 days at room temperature away from heat and light in order for a fermentation process to take place.
• Add some water and stir. Viable seeds will settle to the bottom and pulp will rise to the top.
• Carefully pour off the top layer and then drain the rest, leaving the viable seeds.
• Rinse thoroughly in colander or strainer.
• Spread seed out in a single layer on a tray and dry thoroughly in a cool, dark place.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1/8 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Be very careful when transplanting the cucumber plants. Cucumber plants will not grow and seeds will not germinate when the soil is cold.
• Let the cucumber ripen to a yellow or orange before harvesting the seeds. Seeds must go through the fermentation process to be viable.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

Sow directly into the soil, as it doesn’t transplant easily. Lots of sun, protected from the wind is best. Can be staked to help support. Thin plants to 10-12 inches apart when they are about two-inches high. Thinned out plants can be eaten as microgreens which can be eaten alone or used as a topper on salads, sandwiches, etc.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave plants in the ground.
• Stem will grow and flower.
• Umbrella-like flowers will form, from which the seeds will develop.
• You may leave the stalks in the garden until the seeds are brown and completely dry. (You may lose some seeds this way – see the next way below.)
• Cut flower heads into a brown paper bag or bowl.
• Remove the seeds from the chaff and place in return envelope.

• Cut the flower stalks just before the seeds turn brown.
• Loosely attach a brown paper bag with little holes poked for ventilation around the flower heads.
• Hang stalks upside down in warm, ventilated, low-light area. Seeds will drop as they dry.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1/8 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Leaves and seed can all be harvested for use. Leaves (or fronds) can be eaten fresh or dried for later use.
• Seeds need to dry completely on the plant before removal.
• Just one dill plant can produce hundreds of seeds.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

Lettuce grows best in cool temperatures. There can be early (spring) and later (fall) season growth. Seeds are best grown from early season plants. Can be planted close together for cut and regrowth, or can be planted further apart for one time harvest. Seedlings can be eaten as microgreens which can be eaten alone or used as a topper on salads, sandwiches, etc.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave at least one lettuce plant in ground.
• Let the lettuce bolt (or grow a stem).
• When seed heads emerge, the seeds are ready for harvest.
• Hand pick the heads, or bend the whole flowering branch into a bag and shake.
• Separate seeds from fluffy ends by gently rubbing, then place only the seeds into the envelope.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1/8 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Lettuce needs warmth in order to bolt to produce seed.
• Seeds are mature when the flowering head emerges.
• Cross-pollinating, although not often, can occur between lettuce so be sure to isolate different lettuce varieties when growing for seed (at least 10 feet).

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

When seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin to stand about 4-6 inches apart to reduce overcrowding and encourage healthier peas. Thinned out plants can be eaten as microgreens which can be eaten alone or used as a topper on salads, sandwiches, etc.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave plants to flower.
• Seed pods will form from the flowers.
• Leave standing in the garden until dry.
• Carefully pull seed pods from plant, remove seeds from pods, and place only the seeds into the envelope.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1 and ½ teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Cross-pollinating, although not often, can occur between peas so be sure to isolate different pea varieties when growing for seed (at least 20 feet).
• Allow at least 1 pea plant in the garden, with at least 10 pods, to continue to dry for seed production. Seed pods will not split when drying in the garden.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

When seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin to 2-3 seedlings per hill to reduce overcrowding and encourage healthier pumpkins. Keep different varieties at least ½ mile away to avoid cross pollination.

Harvesting instructions

• Once mature, leave at least one pumpkin on the vine until a slight color change on the rind (skin) occurs.
• Pick the pumpkin once that has happened and let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least 20 days so seeds continue to ripen.
• Cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and clean the pulp off of them.
• Wash in a colander or strainer to remove any remaining pulp. Soak seeds for a few hours if needed, to loosen the remaining pulp.
• Lay seeds on a tray in a single layer to dry thoroughly.
• Once dry, place only the seeds into the envelope.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Needs warm soil to germinate.
• Water around the base of the stem to reduce the possibility of leaf diseases.
• Let picked pumpkins sit in a cool dry place for at least 20 days before removing seeds.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

After the seedlings have emerged, thin to stand 2 inches apart to reduce overcrowding and encourage larger radishes. Thinned out plants can be eaten as microgreens which can be eaten alone or used as a topper on salads, sandwiches, etc.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave plants in the ground.
• Stem will grow and flower.
• Seed pods will form from the flowers.
• Leave standing in the garden until dry.
• Cut stems, remove seeds from pods, and place only the seeds into the envelope.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1/8 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Radishes can cross-pollinate, so be sure to isolate your radish crop when growing for seed (at least ½ mile).
• Allow at least 5 radish plants to continue to grow in the garden for seed production. Seed pods will not split when drying in the garden.

Planting instructions

Be sure to follow the planting instructions on either the original seed packets or the seed envelopes checked out from the Cavalier County library.

In-season considerations

Allow five to six feet between hills. Thin to the best two or three plants per hill on plants are established. Keep different varieties at least ½ mile away to avoid cross pollination.

Harvesting instructions

• Leave at least one squash on the vine until a slight color change on the rind (skin) occurs.
• Pick the squash once that has happened and let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least 20 days so seeds continue to ripen.
• Cut the squash in half.
• Scoop out the seeds, cleaning the pulp off of them.
• Wash in a colander or strainer to remove any remaining pulp. Soak seeds for a few hours if needed, to loosen the remaining pulp.
• Lay seeds on a tray in a single layer to dry thoroughly.

A suggested minimum return amount is 1/4 teaspoon.

Tips and Tricks

• Needs warm soil to germinate.
• Seeds are mature when the squash is fully grown and a little color change has occurred.
• Let squash sit in a cool dry place for at least 20 days before removing seeds.