Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

[Guest guest]

Infested? With what?

Melody

Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Are the Now seeds Organic? I am having a little difficulty finding organic

sprouting seeds locally. Well, I found them but they were in a twist tie bag

and infested.

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

My first posting..... ..

I get a pound bag of Zesty Sprouting Mix (1/2 crimson clover, 1/4

alfalfa and 1/4 fenugreek), brand name NOW, at my local health food

store (Chuck's) on the second Tuesday of each month when they have 20%

discount throughout the store. Regular price is $4.99 so end up

paying about $4.00 after discount.

Definitely like the 'Zesty' mix vs. straight alfalfa for salads.

Phyllis,

Temple Terrace, FL

[Guest guest]

On 12/17/08, Melody Lubart <eliz7212@...> wrote:

>

> Infested? With what?

I'll bet it was those little striped things. They come in half the

stuff I get from the co-op. Whenever I buy bulk stuff from the co-op,

I bring it home and put it in the freezer for about a week before I

eat it, even if I don't see any bugs, because half the time they're in

there, they just haven't hatched yet. Freezing kills them.

I've found them in my bulk food long after they had done their damage

and they leave apile of their corpses and a strong smell of ammonia.

What's worse, they pretty much ruin any permanent storage container

they were in. Since I started doing the freezer quarantine, though

(and, of course, not buying anything that actively has the bugs in it)

I haven't had any problems with them.

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Okay, NOW I'M CONFUSED. These packets of seeds have BUGS IN THEM?? i've never

seen any. I have lentils, I have black turtle beans, and I have green whole

peas.

What do I have to look for? And should I put these in my freezer. Please, I

have to know this.

Thanks much.

Melody

Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

On 12/17/08, Melody Lubart <eliz7212@...> wrote:

>

> Infested? With what?

I'll bet it was those little striped things. They come in half the

stuff I get from the co-op. Whenever I buy bulk stuff from the co-op,

I bring it home and put it in the freezer for about a week before I

eat it, even if I don't see any bugs, because half the time they're in

there, they just haven't hatched yet. Freezing kills them.

I've found them in my bulk food long after they had done their damage

and they leave apile of their corpses and a strong smell of ammonia.

What's worse, they pretty much ruin any permanent storage container

they were in. Since I started doing the freezer quarantine, though

(and, of course, not buying anything that actively has the bugs in it)

I haven't had any problems with them.

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

On 12/17/08, Melody Lubart <eliz7212@...> wrote:

>

> Okay, NOW I'M CONFUSED. These packets of seeds have BUGS IN THEM??

I can't speak for 's infestation, but yeah, over the years I've

bought lots of seeds, grains, flour, etc. that turned out to have bugs

in it. It's not just been one store or even one location as I've

gotten bugs in food from co-ops and health food stores in the south,

the northeast, and now out west as well.

It's gross, yeah, but looking on the bright side, it's a sign that

you're getting genuine organic food. No pesticides, for sure!

> i've never seen any. I have lentils, I have black turtle beans, and

> I have green whole peas.

I don't recall ever getting these sorts of bugs in beans, but I

wouldn't be surprised to have them turn up and I do stick my beans in

the freezer when I get them home as well, just in case.

> What do I have to look for?

Small things crawling around in your food.

If they're not there when you buy it, be sure to also check for them

every time you take the food out to use it (or about two weeks after

you've brought the food home, if you haven't used it yet by then.)

> And should I put these in my freezer. Please, I have to know this.

If you haven't seen any bugs from that store, don't worry about it.

Once you've brought bugs home from some place, make a habit of always

putting their stuff i the freezer to kill bugs/eggs because if it

happens once you'll have to always assume that whole store is infested

from then on.

The bugs won't hurt you. It's just kind of icky to have bugs in your

food. Hopefully, you won't ever experience that, but it doesn't hurt

to keep half an eye out just in case. But don't stress out over it.

They're not poisonous or anything and they won't get into your carpet

or anything like that. They tend to stay in the container of food and

usually don't even skip over to other food containers if the one

they're in is sealed.

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

On 12/16/08, Ernest Willingham <99tomatoes@...> wrote:

>

> I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> for only $7.50.

the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

<http://www.watersuntogether.com/sprout.asp?gclid=CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9gwodlUejRw>

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

You won't be able to buy organic alfalfa seeds for under 10 dollars a pound and

then at that point if you are buying alfalfa seed that is not organic you

shouldn't be paying over 5 bucks a pound...

>

> I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> for only $7.50.

the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

<http://www.watersun together. com/sprout. asp?gclid= CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9

gwodlUejRw>

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you're saying.

On 12/17/08, Kornblau <bacteriapimp@...> wrote:

>

> You won't be able to buy organic alfalfa seeds for under 10 dollars

> a pound and then at that point if you are buying alfalfa seed that is

> not organic you shouldn't be paying over 5 bucks a pound...

>

>

> >

> > I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> > for only $7.50.

>

> the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

> to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

> organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

> company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

>

> <http://www.watersun together. com/sprout. asp?gclid= CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9

gwodlUejRw>

>

> Sparrow

[Guest guest]

Hi sparrow:

I want to get this information perfectly clear.

I bought the beans. A package of beans, a package of green lentils

(all of these are organic by the way). And a package of whole peas.

I can put these in the freezer? How long do I keep them in the

freezer? Can they stay in the freezer? Or do I freeze them for 24

hours, and then take them out.

I'm actually able to sprout from FROZEN BEANS AND SEEDS? Really?

thanks so much for this info.

Melody

[Guest guest]

On 12/17/08, melodylubart1 <eliz7212@...> wrote:

>

> I can put these in the freezer? How long do I keep them in the

> freezer? Can they stay in the freezer? Or do I freeze them for 24

> hours, and then take them out.

I'm not sure how long the life cycle of the bugs is. I always just

left them in there for a week but less is probably okay. But,

honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about freezing anything if I

haven't seen any bugs from that store.

> I'm actually able to sprout from FROZEN BEANS AND SEEDS? Really?

I've sprouted plenty of frozen-then-thawed lentils. Think about this:

in nature, seeds sit under the ground all winter and sprout in the

spring. They are surely frozen under the ground during the winter in

most places. But when spring warmth comes, up the shoots grow.

I know you're supposed to dig up bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, in

the fall and re-plant them in the spring but my mother's daffodils

were always just left in the ground and they were covered with snow

and frozen all witner but next spring, up they would pop again.

> thanks so much for this info.

You're welcome. And, again, don't worry too much about bugs if you

haven't seen them. If you ever get a batch from somewhere with bugs in

it, you will know - they're very easy to spot, even if you aren't

looking for them.

I just did a web search and this page says to freeze for four days:

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/home/e300w.htm

And for freezing seeds you will sprout, I found this page on the

Sproutpeople site that says that freezing your sprout seeds will make

them last longer than storing them at room temperature:

http://www..com/grow/storage.html

Hope this helps!

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

It looks like the price drops down to 4.95 when you buy 10lbs..For that quantity

that is a very good price point.Yhank you,Jeff.Googled again googleisiously

good.

From: sparrowrose@...

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:45:03 -0700

Subject: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

On 12/16/08, Ernest Willingham <99tomatoes@...> wrote:

>

> I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> for only $7.50.

the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

<http://www.watersuntogether.com/sprout.asp?gclid=CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9gwodlUejRw>

Sparrow

_________________________________________________________________

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass.

http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_12\

2008

[Guest guest]

It looks like the price drops down to 4.95 when you buy 10lbs..For that quantity

that is a very good price point.Yhank you,Jeff.Googled again googleisiously

good.

From: sparrowrose@...

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:45:03 -0700

Subject: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

On 12/16/08, Ernest Willingham <99tomatoes@...> wrote:

>

> I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> for only $7.50.

the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

<http://www.watersuntogether.com/sprout.asp?gclid=CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9gwodlUejRw>

Sparrow

_________________________________________________________________

Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass.

http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_12\

2008

[Guest guest]

Sproutpeople website says that their alfalfa seed is Certified Organic

and its $7.50 a pound.

ew

Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:49:19 -0800 (PST)

You won't be able to buy organic alfalfa seeds for under 10 dollars a

pound and then at that point if you are buying alfalfa seed that is

not organic you shouldn't be paying over 5 bucks a pound...

>

> I noticed that handypantry sells alfalfa seed for $8.37 a pound and

> for only $7.50.

the gmail feature that tracks your mail and gives you ads that relate

to what you're talking about just told me about a place that sells

organic alfalfa seeds for $5.95/pound. I haven't bought from the

company, but I thought I'd pass the information along anyway.

<http://www.watersun together. com/sprout. asp?gclid=

CNHPkMyQyZcCFQM9 gwodlUejRw>

Sparrow

[Guest guest]

I think you are mistaken, . Perhaps you should consider looking

around more.

Thia

On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 9:49 PM, Kornblau <bacteriapimp@...>wrote:

> You won't be able to buy organic alfalfa seeds for under 10 dollars a

> pound

>

[Guest guest]

A little off topic but you can buy 5 gallon buckets at a hardware

store a line them with Ziploc or Hefty Big Bags (11 gallons I think).

They are supposed to be the same stuff the freezer bags are made out

of. I also did get some 4 gallon buckets from my local grocery store

bakery department and drove my self crazy driving home the smell of

frosting and cream filling...even tho I know they were laying around

for a while I was oh so tempted to help myself to what was left in the

bottom

There are lids called Gamma seals (google em) that make it much easier

to access the food in the buckets, especially for women who can't pry

off the hammered on lids. A ring attaches over the lip of the bucket

and there's an insert that fits into the top then spins on or off as

needed.

[Guest guest]

A little off topic but you can buy 5 gallon buckets at a hardware

store a line them with Ziploc or Hefty Big Bags (11 gallons I think).

They are supposed to be the same stuff the freezer bags are made out

of. I also did get some 4 gallon buckets from my local grocery store

bakery department and drove my self crazy driving home the smell of

frosting and cream filling...even tho I know they were laying around

for a while I was oh so tempted to help myself to what was left in the

bottom

There are lids called Gamma seals (google em) that make it much easier

to access the food in the buckets, especially for women who can't pry

off the hammered on lids. A ring attaches over the lip of the bucket

and there's an insert that fits into the top then spins on or off as

needed.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sparrow:

I went to that link and learned all about freezing seeds. I just

purchased a one pound bag of Alfalfa from Handy Pantry. When I get it,

just to make sure, I'll put it in the freezer.

Now after a while, do I open up the bag, spread the seeds on the

counter and look for dead bugs. Are the bugs a lighter color than the

alfalfa seeds. I did this with my black turtle beans, lentils, and

other beans that I have. I found NO BUGS, thank goodness. Everything I

have is organic.

Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things come

from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a bag

and sells them.

I have no clue how these seeds go from their origin to the store.

Do you (or anyone else) know how this transpires?

Thanks so much. I have learned much from going to this message board.

Melody

[Guest guest]

Well I am not exactly sure but there was stringing cobweb type things on the

inside of the bags when opened.  I had this happen at home one time and it was

some kind of brown moth.

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

From: Melody Lubart <eliz7212@...>

Subject: Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 3:56 PM

Infested? With what?

Melody

Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Are the Now seeds Organic? I am having a little difficulty finding organic

sprouting seeds locally. Well, I found them but they were in a twist tie bag and

infested.

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

My first posting..... ..

I get a pound bag of Zesty Sprouting Mix (1/2 crimson clover, 1/4

alfalfa and 1/4 fenugreek), brand name NOW, at my local health food

store (Chuck's) on the second Tuesday of each month when they have 20%

discount throughout the store. Regular price is $4.99 so end up

paying about $4.00 after discount.

Definitely like the 'Zesty' mix vs. straight alfalfa for salads.

Phyllis,

Temple Terrace, FL

[Guest guest]

Another question to go along with those.  Does freezing change the nutritional

value any by breaking down of nutrients?

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

From: melodylubart1 <eliz7212@...>

Subject: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 7:03 PM

Hi sparrow:

I want to get this information perfectly clear.

I bought the beans. A package of beans, a package of green lentils

(all of these are organic by the way). And a package of whole peas.

I can put these in the freezer? How long do I keep them in the

freezer? Can they stay in the freezer? Or do I freeze them for 24

hours, and then take them out.

I'm actually able to sprout from FROZEN BEANS AND SEEDS? Really?

thanks so much for this info.

Melody

[Guest guest]

Hi.

Know what this sounds like to me? 15 years ago, we had a hamster. I bought his

food at Petland. It was seeds in a bag. I knew NOTHING about pets, hamsters,

storing seeds, freezing them before opening...well I knew nothing.

One day, I saw these things flying around in my kitchen. I had no idea where

they came from. Then one day I was putting the seeds in the little feed shute in

the cage. I saw some (must have been larvae) stuff going on. I immediately went

back to the pet store, told them what happened and they laughed and said " you

mean you didn't put the package in the freezer first?? " That began A WHOLE

LESSON ON FREEZING SEEDS.

Now fast forward 15 years later and I'm buying seeds to sprout. Organic seeds to

boot.

I never made the connection.

You better believe I'm going to search every single bag I buy from now on.

Melody

Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Are the Now seeds Organic? I am having a little difficulty finding organic

sprouting seeds locally. Well, I found them but they were in a twist tie bag and

infested.

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

My first posting..... ..

I get a pound bag of Zesty Sprouting Mix (1/2 crimson clover, 1/4

alfalfa and 1/4 fenugreek), brand name NOW, at my local health food

store (Chuck's) on the second Tuesday of each month when they have 20%

discount throughout the store. Regular price is $4.99 so end up

paying about $4.00 after discount.

Definitely like the 'Zesty' mix vs. straight alfalfa for salads.

Phyllis,

Temple Terrace, FL

[Guest guest]

Melody;

It is amazing to me that you know so little about plants. But I am

happy that sprouting is giving you the stimulus to learn. I'll try to

give you a very simplified Botany 101. Every plant has flowers,

sometimes they don't look like the things that we are familiar with;

what actually makes a flower into a flower is that it has male and/or

female sexual parts. The part of the flower that is comparable to the

ovary is fertilized by the pollen (from the male part). After

fertilization the plant ovary turns into something that is called a

fruiting body, a fleshy container in which the seeds develop. This

fruiting body is not necessarily a fruit, it could be a fruit or a

vegetable or a nut or any other place that a seed grows.

So alfalfa seeds grow weeks after the plant flowers and when they

reach the proper stage for harvest a giant farm machine called a

combine will harvest a whole field of many acres.

Lee

On Dec 18, 2008, at 11:13 AM, melodylubart1 wrote:

> Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things come

> from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

> under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a bag

> and sells them.

[Guest guest]

Ok, Lee, One slight correction. Not all plants flower. Ferns do not.

Also, Melody, some flowers do look like flowers as you may think of

flowers such as a rose is a flower. but so is a pine cone.

ew

Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:18:12 -0500

Melody;

It is amazing to me that you know so little about plants. But I am

happy that sprouting is giving you the stimulus to learn. I'll try to

give you a very simplified Botany 101. Every plant has flowers,

sometimes they don't look like the things that we are familiar with;

what actually makes a flower into a flower is that it has male and/or

female sexual parts. The part of the flower that is comparable to the

ovary is fertilized by the pollen (from the male part). After

fertilization the plant ovary turns into something that is called a

fruiting body, a fleshy container in which the seeds develop. This

fruiting body is not necessarily a fruit, it could be a fruit or a

vegetable or a nut or any other place that a seed grows.

So alfalfa seeds grow weeks after the plant flowers and when they

reach the proper stage for harvest a giant farm machine called a

combine will harvest a whole field of many acres.

Lee

On Dec 18, 2008, at 11:13 AM, melodylubart1 wrote:

> Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things

come

> from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

> under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a

bag

> and sells them.

[Guest guest]

Actually I'm disabled and take care of my disabled husband. And what I learned

in school, well, I forgot most of my plant information. I remember SOME of it,

but not most of it.

so thank much for the lesson on seeds.

Much appreciated.

melody

P.S. Oh I have another question. Is it okay to eat these sprouts every day? I

just grew some black turtle bean sprouts togeter with some green lentils and

some green pea sprouts. I put them all together and now they are in my fridge.

I went online and there was a warning on too many beans. It said they have

" toxins " . I never knew this was a possibility. It also said to wait until the

Alfalfa " flowers " , before being eaten. It said to give it 7 days. I've been

eating alfalfa after growing for 5 days. Have I been wrong?

I have stopped buying lettuce and I use the alfalfa as a base for my organic

salad. I add some of my home-grown sprouts, some grape tomatoes, some mushrooms,

a splash of extra virgin olive oil, and perhaps a can of tuna on the salad.

That's my lunch. For dinner, I'll have a same stuff for a salad and a piece of

fish.

I have lost a great deal of weight eating this way. I don't think it's dangerous

to eat sprouts every day because it's a living food, right?

I just want to make sure that I can continue doing so.

Thanks much

Melody

P.S. The reason I started to grow them was because it's much cheaper to eat

this way. And I like the taste very much.

Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Melody;

It is amazing to me that you know so little about plants. But I am

happy that sprouting is giving you the stimulus to learn. I'll try to

give you a very simplified Botany 101. Every plant has flowers,

sometimes they don't look like the things that we are familiar with;

what actually makes a flower into a flower is that it has male and/or

female sexual parts. The part of the flower that is comparable to the

ovary is fertilized by the pollen (from the male part). After

fertilization the plant ovary turns into something that is called a

fruiting body, a fleshy container in which the seeds develop. This

fruiting body is not necessarily a fruit, it could be a fruit or a

vegetable or a nut or any other place that a seed grows.

So alfalfa seeds grow weeks after the plant flowers and when they

reach the proper stage for harvest a giant farm machine called a

combine will harvest a whole field of many acres.

Lee

On Dec 18, 2008, at 11:13 AM, melodylubart1 wrote:

> Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things come

> from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

> under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a bag

> and sells them.

[Guest guest]

Ok, gang, here are some names for you to look up. First what is

describing here is probably the Indian meal moth, also known as kitchen

moth. But it could also be: seed moth, raisin moth or almond moth. Google

these names and read about them. These are not the same moths that eat

your clothes. I've had them in my home for years. I unknowingly brought

them home in some cheap dry cat food. I fight them by sealing everything.

I have a home food vacumn machine. It seal bags and jar real well. When

something comes home that the moths might get into, it gets vacumn packed

before it goes into the cupboard. I also like the machine because I can

buy in bulk to save money.

ew

Re: Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa

Seeds

Are the Now seeds Organic? I am having a little difficulty finding

organic sprouting seeds locally. Well, I found them but they were in

a twist tie bag and infested.

Smyrna, TN

US Zone 7

My first posting..... ..

I get a pound bag of Zesty Sprouting Mix (1/2 crimson clover, 1/4

alfalfa and 1/4 fenugreek), brand name NOW, at my local health food

store (Chuck's) on the second Tuesday of each month when they have

20%

discount throughout the store. Regular price is $4.99 so end up

paying about $4.00 after discount.

Definitely like the 'Zesty' mix vs. straight alfalfa for salads.

Phyllis,

Temple Terrace, FL

[Guest guest]

Its ok to eat sprouts everyday and more than once a day if you like. It

eat green sprouts - like alfalfa and broccoli and salad mixes daily. Mung

beans often. Hard beans not so often because I'm quite 'gassy' ( it is

hereditary ).

You are not going to get alfalfa to flower, unless you grow it out doors.

Alfalfa flowers in about 45 days and gets about 2 foot tall. I eat

alfalfa sprouts after about 6 days just after it gets its seed leaves.

Here in SoCal. the farmers cut alfalfa for animal feed and its is cut 10

to 12 times before its plowed under. It doesn't get a chance to go to

seed.

ew

Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Melody;

It is amazing to me that you know so little about plants. But I am

happy that sprouting is giving you the stimulus to learn. I'll try to

give you a very simplified Botany 101. Every plant has flowers,

sometimes they don't look like the things that we are familiar with;

what actually makes a flower into a flower is that it has male and/or

female sexual parts. The part of the flower that is comparable to the

ovary is fertilized by the pollen (from the male part). After

fertilization the plant ovary turns into something that is called a

fruiting body, a fleshy container in which the seeds develop. This

fruiting body is not necessarily a fruit, it could be a fruit or a

vegetable or a nut or any other place that a seed grows.

So alfalfa seeds grow weeks after the plant flowers and when they

reach the proper stage for harvest a giant farm machine called a

combine will harvest a whole field of many acres.

Lee

On Dec 18, 2008, at 11:13 AM, melodylubart1 wrote:

> Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things

come

> from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

> under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a

bag

> and sells them.

[Guest guest]

About the beans being gassy. I watched a youtube video on bean sprouting. The

lady making the video looked into the camera and said the following:

" when you soak the beans over night, and you rinse and drain, in a few days you

will see them sprout. And you won't have any gas or get bloated " . I was so

happy to hear this.

Was she mistaken?

Thanks much, Melody

Re: I want to buy some Alfalfa Seeds

Melody;

It is amazing to me that you know so little about plants. But I am

happy that sprouting is giving you the stimulus to learn. I'll try to

give you a very simplified Botany 101. Every plant has flowers,

sometimes they don't look like the things that we are familiar with;

what actually makes a flower into a flower is that it has male and/or

female sexual parts. The part of the flower that is comparable to the

ovary is fertilized by the pollen (from the male part). After

fertilization the plant ovary turns into something that is called a

fruiting body, a fleshy container in which the seeds develop. This

fruiting body is not necessarily a fruit, it could be a fruit or a

vegetable or a nut or any other place that a seed grows.

So alfalfa seeds grow weeks after the plant flowers and when they

reach the proper stage for harvest a giant farm machine called a

combine will harvest a whole field of many acres.

Lee

On Dec 18, 2008, at 11:13 AM, melodylubart1 wrote:

> Now here's my next question. Where do the seeds for these things

come

> from? For example, Alfalfa. Where do the seeds come from. Are they

> under the ground, and a person gathers them up and puts them in a

bag

> and sells them.