Preparing seeds for sowing

Our nursery propagation intern Bella writes about the tasks that have been keeping her particularly busy this week ...

"As summer comes to an end, our garden is already looking ahead to autumn sowing. This is another season when we prepare seeds for sowing, so we can look forward to fresh germinations around October to May. 

Each seed has its own story and its own needs. Some require pre-treatment like soaking, scarification, or even a cold stratification before they’re ready to sow. Others are tiny and delicate, needing gentle placement on the soil surface.

Throughout the year, seeds are collected, dried, cleaned, and carefully counted with the help of our wonderful volunteers. Some are packed for the Nechama Rivlin Wildflower Conservation Project, which invites the public to plant native Israeli wildflowers at home and take part in preserving our natural heritage. Others go straight to the nursery, where we research and provide the ideal conditions for each seed.

From the large seeds like Amygdalus spinosissima whose pulp has to be peeled before sowing, to the tiny, almost weightless Pennisetum orientale seeds ready to sow immediately. All seeds are handled with sterilized hands."