Seeds which can overwinter on the plant

[macmex]

A couple weeks ago I started cleaning up some garden stuff and noticed that some things had survived the winter's wild temperature swings, wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow. Do you have anything like that in your garden?




This is a picture of Frank's Thai Hot, taken yesterday. The only peppers which regularly manage to overwinter (meaning they have viable seed in the pods after winter) seem to be the ones which have papery dry pods when mature. Frank's is especially good for making pepper flakes because of it's dry pods.



Cherokee Trail of Tears seemed to be the variety that had "the gift that just kept giving." I picked dry seed right up until nearly Christmas. Every time I passed this one I managed to find "a few more pods with seed." March 24 I finally yanked the bean poles and disposed of them and... found yet more seed. The seed had been perfectly preserved in its pods. Again, pods which dry down really dry and tough protect the seed better. That's Cherokee Trail of Tears. Its dry pods are tough and leathery. I'm positive the seed is in good shape, in spite of all that Oklahoma winter threw at it!

 

[woodeye]

macmex

I've had the opportunity on pepper plants that still had dried peppers hanging on them, but just never investigated whether or not the seeds were still viable before I tilled them under.
I will pay closer attention to this, especially since I will be planting mostly non-hybrid varieties of crops from now on...

[amyinowasso]

At least some seeds must be viable or we wouldn't get volunteers. I've had 2 beds full of whippoorwill pea volunteers, I'm sure we've all had tomato weeds. Basil. My long beans usually volunteer, but I think my husband has dug them out. Cantaloupe and pumpkins in compost piles. The only cilantro I'm successful with comes up in the same area every year, and my husband can smell it and lets it live, LOL.