Seed notes for Marc

Peppers: seeds only good for 2 years. longer than that and they may not germinate reliably. Sprout seeds by using napkin. Napkin Method: put seed in moist, not wet, napkin. enclose in clean ziploc bag. leave somewhere warm (20-30 C) but not too warm as too much heat can kill it. Check the seed each day for sprouts. as soon as it sprouts, you may plant in soil. transplant to veggie bed when true leaves appear. Mature plants can be overwintered and kept alive many years. Seeds viable ~2 years

Tomatoes: plant directly in soil. we cover moist soil with seed in it for the first day, and check each day for spouts. as soon as the first green sprout comes up, remove the plastic covering and grow under good light. Transplant to veggie bed when true leaves appear. 
Take cuttings from plants as they grow and put cutting in jar of water to root. When roots form you may plant it. Good way to get new plants. Seeds viable ~5 years

Cactus - golden dragonfuit: plant seed in soil. Keep soil moist. Seed may take a few weeks to come up. Takes 7 years approx. to bare fruit. After 1 or 2 years, can take cuttings and grow from them. 

Ground Cherry: plant can spread easily, so may want to block it off in raised bed. Plant seed same method as tomato seed. Also easy propagation of cuttings using tomato method.
 
Tomatillo: Plant same as tomato seed method. when planting out, keep tomatillo plants touching each other, 1-2 feet apart. This is for pollination, as insects must pollinate them with pollen from each other, aka not self-pollinating. Also easy propagation of cuttings using tomato method.

Kiwiberry: Plant directly in soil. It is perennial in our climate, it looks dead in winter yet comes back in spring. Can take a few years to get fruit. Plant needs male and female plants to make fruit. it can take a few years to know if your plants are male or female. 

Mangosteen: Can try either napkin method or directly plant. Makes very large tree. Very good fruits. 

Squash: usually eaten at mature stage, might be eaten at immature stage, aka zucchini/summer squash. Plant directly in soil. Each plant has male and female flowers, needs insects to go from male to female flower. Can also do this by hand with a q-tip or paintbrush. Vining plant - can choke nearby plants if not managed every few days. Ideal for trellising. Leaves and stem can be cooked and eaten. Seeds viable ~5 years. Included- Winter squash: Futsu, Honeynut, fairytale, blue maxima, stripetti, buttercup 1 & 2, butternut.

Cucumber: same method as squash. Pick when cuc is green, when large and yellow they are not as good for eating, but you may save seed at this point. Seeds viable ~5 years

Cantalope: same method as squash. If trellising, support hanging fruits in a net or sock. When ripe they can fall off the vine. Stem is dry when ripe. Seeds viable ~5 years
Carrots: plant direct in soil, they do not like to be transplanted. Ensure soil is loose and rock-free up to 12" down. Seeds viable ~2 years
Lettuce: Can be transplanted. 45 days to maturity. can bolt and go to seed if temps are too hot. try using shade cloth or grow in off season. Seeds are viable 1-2 years.



** add carrot seeds

** check my tomato section for tips and info about each type, and check my squash section as well.