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A. Collect when the seeds or pods are brown and dry. Spread on a screen to air dry. For beans or other pods that split open to cast their seeds to the wind, place them in paper bags. Shell when the pods are dry. Store seeds in a paper envelope in a jar, or you can store just in the jar. Label with the plant name and date of collection. Place the jar in a cold location; the refrigerator or freezer is ideal. If dried properly, a seed will remain viable for many years, depending on the species. A dessicant is not necessary for drying.

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Cenizo ('Silverado' and others)
Cenizo or Texas Sage as it is sometimes called is a great central Texas native shrub that deserves a place in the landscape. There are many varieties to choose from offering evergreen foliage in shades of gray to green and blooms in hues of pink, lavender or white. ‘Silverado’ is one of several great new varieties. Bloom cycles follow summer rainstorms. Deer generally ignore this plant, and once established it is very drought resistant. Give it a full sun exposure and don’t shear it like a hedge. If you need to prune it just do a little light pruning to maintain its natural shape. Remember, fall is prime time for planting trees and shrubs!

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• Continue planting cool season vegetables like carrot, chard, mustard, turnip, lettuce, radish and spinach.
• Protect seedlings in case of frost.
• It’s also time to plant cool weather color.
• To stimulate growth in our cooler soils, water in with a fertilizer solution.
• An extra boost of nitrogen will foster growth.
• Be ready to collect tomatoes and sweet potatoes if a frost is predicted. Tomatoes will continue to ripen on the counter.

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