Collecting seeds from trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables etc can be fun and interesting. Remember that the seed you collect does not always mean it will be identical to the parent plant from which you picked, but the joy of raising a new plant or plants from seed can be exhilarating.

THE START OF LIFE IN A TINY SEED
Seeds are nature's vehicles of perpetual life. Tucked away in every kind of seed is the secret of life. Life begets life. Life sustains life. Anything alive cannot survive without some sort of 'living' food.
The giant trees everywhere over the world come from a tiny seed. Contained inside those tiny seeds is the birth of a tree, vegetable, shrub or creeper etc.; the seeds of a Bean contain the pattern for the height of the vine, the colour and the shape of the flower, the fruit, colour, size and variety. Everything that the seed has had put into it in the beginning of its formation is for the growth of the plant until it reaches the completion of its life.
Seeds eaten pass through the body and are most often not digested. To reap the best from the seeds' concentrated food supply, soak them in water overnight, as this allows our digestive system to work thoroughly and receive far more nourishment.

SPROUTING SEEDS have become very popular in the last few years. When the seeds have sprouted the vitamins and minerals within the seed are increased and these young plants are fresh and free from all the toxic sprays.
ALFALFA would be the most nutritious of all seeds. The sprouts from the seed may be eaten in many ways; in soups, sandwiches, salads etc. Alfalfa contains many important enzymes, minerals, proteins and organic vitamins. It also assists in digestion, weight control and counteracts fatigue toxins and acidity. For more information on Alfalfa, contact your local health food shop.

Buying seed from a reputable seed firm will ensure you of a successful rate of germination and a crop of healthy producing plants.
If you have a very large garden, sow some of the areas with flower seed instead of using established plants and this will help to keep the cost down when planting out a lot of annuals.

THE YOUNGER GENERATION
When you are out in the garden, do you hear the pitter patter of little foot steps following behind you?
Have you provided your children with seed, plants, small pots garden tools or a wheelbarrow to encourage them to go outside into the garden?
Garden tools are ideal for birthdays and Christmas gifts or even a thank you gift for helping you around the house or garden. Locate a place in the garden and tell them that this spot is for them to have their own garden.
Provide them a few pots to grow seedling in or one of yates mini glasshouses to start raising some seed.
We all need encouragement especially young children.

I wonder how many of the younger generations actually spend time out in the garden enjoying the fresh air like I did many years ago. The TV and the "Mind Controlling Games" that connect onto the TV now keep most people inside their homes and away from the sunshine. This may contribute to so many people getting sick, with the lack of natural exercise. When I was young, many people were out in the garden digging and planting their pride and joy:- the vegie garden. Just to feel the earth in your hands and watch young seeds or plants grow is a joy in itself. The pride of picking vegetables from your own garden and sharing the success with your wife and children create a wonderful feeling. Where has all this gone?

Children love to learn by seeing seed germinate and come into flower or produce fruit crops. Encourage your children to have their very own garden plot. Set up a seed raising tray on the window sill in the children's bedroom. Seeds of plants that have a main tap root would be best planted into individual containers.

Let them plant some seed and when they germinate, and the seedlings are big enough to plant out, help then to transplant the new plants to their own garden bed.

You will find on Mr. Fothergill's seed stands, packets of Children seed called "Fun Seed". A selection of seed for children to start their flower or Vegetable garden with.
Funny Faces,Viola Bambini;
Gobstopper Toms, tomato Tiny Tim.
Go To Bed, Mesembryanthemum, Livingstone Daisy.
Jack's Beanstalk, Climbing Bean, Blue Lake.
Pumkin Head, Pumpkin, Golden Nugget.
Ray of Sunshine, Sunflower, Giant Single.
Tadpole Sprouts, Mung Beans.