The nutrient needs of plants change during their growth cycle. Germination, vegetative growth, reproduction, and senescence each requires its own unique array of minerals to support the metabolic processes taking place in the plant during that growth phase. Thus, each growth phase is a unique opportunity to significantly affect overall plant health. Learn what minerals are needed during these key development phases and the amendments available that’ll provide them.

Before focusing on how to optimize plant performance in the various stages of growth, first consider the impact of seed quality on growth. All seeds aren’t the same: Some batches of seed are of better quality than others; some are open-pollinated types that’ll reproduce true to type; some are hybrids; some are genetically modified. Selecting and saving good seeds is important when the goal is to grow high-quality food. Next year’s seeds may be improved if the parent plants are grown in the right mineral and biological soil conditions. Select the best-quality seeds available to you and sow them.

Saving seeds from the garden is a worthy endeavor. However, keep in mind that seeds produced by hybrid plants may not exhibit the same characteristics in following generations. Additionally, avoid saving seed from genetically modified varieties. Many are patented.

Purchasing seeds from reputable sources is a better alternative than buying any old seeds available on the seed rack. Saving and trading seeds with other gardeners is better still. Saving seeds is a natural selection process that allows the seed strain to become accustomed to a specific environment. In many cases, it’s easy and worth doing just to see the results. Saving seeds of a particular variety for several generations will result in a crop that has gradually adjusted to local soil and climate characteristics.

Heirloom seeds are a good place to start. These are plants of the past whose seeds were saved by growers because the plants exhibited desirable qualities. Local heirloom varieties may already be suited to the local climate, and perhaps even to the local soil type. Wild seeds are the least adulterated choices and include the seeds of edible weeds that grow locally: stinging nettle, dandelion, purslane, and lambsquarters, to name a few. These plants are nutritious, easy to grow, make great cover crops, may be eaten or used to make powerful amendments, and grow like weeds!