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The height of summer is the beginning of the ReGardening year. This is the time nature begins planting. Dry heat brings on the season of the seeds.

Tall stands of drying plants adorn the fields abundant with the seed of future generations. Each single plant is pregnant with hundreds of self similar editions.

Gathering and redistributing these seeds in preparation for the return of the rainy season is the primary work to be done this time of year when establishing a first year ReGarden.

Seed stalk stands

The best way to plant the seeds of the new year is to leave them standing exactly where they are. Nature has designed a most elegant time-released seed distribution system. Seed stalks gradually release their treasure a few here, a few there, over time. With this gradual release, the probability that fresh seeds will be in the ground when the conditions are ripe for germination is greatly increased. In this manner, nature secures it's own survival.

Seed bouquets

Seed bouquets are a way we can mimic natures own reseeding strategy. By harvesting seed stalks and either staking them in the ground, or suspending small bouquets at the locations we wish to begin new stands of plants we can take advantage of natures time release design to propagate next seasons garden.

Seed confetti

Another method for seed propagation is to harvest an entire seed stalk. Crumble the entire stalk, seed, pod and stem into loose confetti. Sprinkle the confetti over the ground where you wish to grow a new stand. Lightly press the confetti into the ground to await the arrival of the autumn rains.

Seeding Fruit

One of the best ways to plant fruits is to simply allow the fruit to fall from the tree. Place the overripe fruit on the ground where you wish your new tree to grow. Allow it to dehydrate. Mulch it well over the winter with grasses, leaves and twigs.

Melons, squash, tomatoes and other vegetable fruits can also be seeded by letting the fruits lay where they fall. Allow the fruit to dehydrate where it lays and the mother plant to collapse, embracing the fruit. Cover plant and fruit with grass or straw mulch, keeping it warm through the winter till the new seedlingss emerge in the spring.

Seed balls

Seed balls mimic the way seeds are distributed across the landscape by animals that eat a fruit, vegetable or other pod, then return it to the earth in their manure droppings. To make a seed ball, add a small amount of seed to a moist mixture of clay and manure. Place seed ball in the desired location and cover with a few inches of grass and/or leaf mulch.

Seed storage

Keep all seeds cool and dry. Many seeds can be frozen until ready to plant.