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Duke Farms
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Stewardship at Home

Making an Impact
Habitat Restoration AgroEcology Sustainability Eagle Cam
Stewardship at Home Distance Learning In the Classroom Community Garden Research
Stewardship at Home

Seed Collection and Storage

Collecting native plant seeds at Duke Farms is an integral part of its ecological mission. As part of its stewardship programming, it is DFF’s responsibility to grow and nurture plants that are well adapted to the site conditions and that exhibit characteristics conducive to the growing conditions of Central New Jersey. Growing seedlings from indigenous seed collected from the area in which you plan to replant them makes sense on a number of levels. One, it will provide seedlings that are more genetically predisposed to the site in which they’ll be planted and two it will produce diverse plants that will be more adaptable to the local site conditions.

Collecting seeds can be done year round and can be a fun rewarding experience. By closely observing the flowering and seed development you can begin to determine and schedule the seed gathering timetable. Once the seed matures on the plant, DF Stewardship staff begins the collection process. Selecting a nice sunny afternoon, it becomes a fun filled day to collect seed. This is a great volunteer opportunity for the community to join in this process. After harvesting seeds, the cleaning process begins. The proper handling and processing of the seed is crucial to its longevity and viability. Improperly processed seed can lead to low germination rates and failure at planting time.

Here are the steps required to gather, clean and store seed for future use:

  1. Seed is handpicked and collected into small containers. The seed still contains the chaff and other unwanted plant parts that need to be removed. It is important to keep all seeds separated so there is no contamination with other seed types, etc. Even seeds taken from different site locations are kept separated as the genetic makeup of the seeds will vary according to the environment from which it comes.

  2. On a clean working table, seed is spread out and the cleaning process begins. Large seed can be cleaned by hand but the smaller seeds need to be ran through screens which help remove the chaff; the debris left after cleaning. This can be done by willowing or blowing gently across the seeds.

  3. Clean seed is then placed in envelopes and clearly identified with the species, collection date and location. Using a paper envelope allows the seed to breath and no moisture gets trapped inside. No plastic bags!

  4. The seed needs to be placed in a cool humidity controlled environment. Providing these conditions will provide the opportunity to store seeds for long periods; maintaining the viability of the seed.

  5. It is important to note that many seeds need to go through a cold storage period, called vernalization or stratification, before they will germinate so seeds collected cannot be planted right away as they will not germinate and grow without initiating this process.

How is the game played?

If using a handheld GPS device (such as a Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, etc.):
  1. Register for a free basic membership on geocaching.com.
  2. Visit the Hide & Seek a Cache page to locate a cache nearby.
  3. Select a cache to view its cache page which lists the cache description, GPS coordinates, and other instructions on how to find the cache.
  4. Load the coordinates into your GPS device and naviagate to the hidden cache.
  5. Sign the logbook inside the cache and log your visit online on geocaching.com.
If using a GPS-enabled smartphone (such as an iPhone or Andriod phone):
  1. Download geocaching.com app from your app store (there is an Intro version which only allows you to navigate to 3 caches before it makes you upgrade and there is the full version which is $9.99).
  2. Log-in using your geocaching.com username or create a free geocaching.com username if you do not have one.
  3. Once logged in, press "Find Nearby Caches."
  4. Choose the appropriate cache from the list. The cache page should appear.
  5. Press "Navigate to Cache." A map should appear showing your location in relation to the cache location.
  6. Navigate to the cache and sign the logbook when you find it. Go back to the cache page and press "Post a Log/Field Note" to post a log online.

Duke Farms GeoTrail

The Duke Farms GeoTrail is a geocaching challenge consisting of 11 different caches placed around the property. It is a unique journey through a variety of native habitats and landscapes.

To complete the challenge you have to fill out the GeoTrail brochure and uncover the secret word, then present your completed brochure to the front desk staff in the Orientation Center to receive your commemorative token (GeoTrail brochures are available at the front desk in the Orientation Center).

Perennial Meadow

Events & Classes

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APR 14

Evening Birding at Duke Farms: Early Spring Migrants & Resident Breeding Birds

APR 14

Evening Birding at Duke Farms: Early Spring Migrants & Resident Breeding Birds

APR 14

Evening Birding at Duke Farms: Early Spring Migrants & Resident Breeding Birds

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Contact

Duke Farms

1112 Dukes Parkway West Hillsborough, N.J. 08844

(908) 722-3700

info@dukefarms.org


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