As the White Rabbit declared he was late, so am I. Last year, I started in late January and now, 'tis early March. As I did last year, I soaked the seeds in water for an hour before placing them in potting soil.
The seeds I chose (and who knows what germination luck I'll get) were: Black Krim, Momotaro (hybrid), Sungold (hybrid), Paul Robeson and Brandywine Sudduth. I personally collected the seeds for all except for the hybrids which came from Kitagawa Seeds.
"Squish them out into a jar," Chetelat said. "Let them ferment on counter. The fungi will work on fruit pulp. Rinse in a strainer and pop the seeds onto paper to dry them." (UC Cooperative Extension offers more detailed instructions on how to save tomato seeds.) Store seeds in a cool dry place, then start them inside next April. Ninety days later, you should have fruit, probably closer to the Fourth of July than Memorial Day, unless something wonderful happens.
Be sure to check out that excellent link she recommends for more detailed info. I do the same as above but with one change: I dry my seeds on coated paper plates. If using paper, I found the seeds tend to stick while drying, becoming one with the paper. Not a good thing.
I have a different take on starting seeds, perhaps my adjustment to being close to the beach. I find April on the late end to begin. Though not as warm as inland, our weather is actually milder and less extreme in terms of the night time low temps in the winter. I actually start my seeds as early as December, indoors, though I may have to change this since our new place doesn't seem to get as much windowsill sun. I can get the earliest plants into the ground by February. I keep planting, however, to May at the latest. I only plant cool climate tolerant tomatoes because they have fewer issues with our cloudy and foggy summers.
One day, I'll have seeds but when I pass by them, I can still smell the fragrant smell of cilantro.
Family Apiaceae, Coriandrum sativum
Here is my patch of mizuna, finally flowering. I'll probably let it go to seed. I've been cutting leaves to use in soup. I have planted another patch. We'll see how long it lasts, as the weather is beginning to feel more like summer. Since this is the first year of growing mizuna, I've never collected seed before. I'll see how it goes.
I'm very happy to let a few of my plants go to seed. Arugula, in particular, is an easy plant from which to harvest seeds for future salads. Here's a clump of arugula blooming. I hope to gather some seeds in a few weeks. If I can remember, I try to throw out a few patches of arugula seeds every few weeks to keep arugula growing in my garden.
