Romaine Lettuce
To start out, I would like to purchase a set of versatile screens that slot together. As I become more handy I can select different grades of wire and work on constructing similar screens modelling the design of the set I purchased. Once I get into producing seed I would be selecting other small seed to work with that would benefit from the screens such as brassicas and ornamental flower seed.
Fava Beans
Garden Pea
The seed pod heads of the lettuce will be progressively shaken off into a brown paper bag directly from the plant. Cleaning could also happen in small batches, put perhaps once a week as opposed to every couple of days. The seed does not need to be released from a shell but rather separated from the fluffy pappus' and any other debris from the seed head that made its way into the bag. The compressor would likely be too powerful for this light seed and chaff. So a small hand fan or even blowing across the seed would be effective. Another approach would be to screen the seeds through a series of stacking screens and lightly blow away fluff and chaff as the seeds and heavier debris fall through the screen set.
To start out, I would like to purchase a set of versatile screens that slot together. As I become more handy I can select different grades of wire and work on constructing similar screens modelling the design of the set I purchased. Once I get into producing seed I would be selecting other small seed to work with that would benefit from the screens such as brassicas and ornamental flower seed.
Image 1: Set of Seed Screens
Source: www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com
Once the upper pods are formed and begins to dry the plants can be cut at the stem then raked down to the ground and collected into stocks to finish drying. The seed head stems can then be cut off and placed on a tarp in the field to be threshed. Some of the chaff can be removed by hand and the seed transferred into a bucket. In an sheltered area the seeds can be transferred a bit at a time into a new bucket in a single layer. Then cleaned by passing the air from an air compressor over the bucket to blow away the chaff. Since fava beans seeds are very large using a winnower or screens wouldn't make sense.
Investing in a moderately air compressor would be a good idea. It would not only help in cleaning seed but in removing dust from sheds and farm storage areas as well as pumping up bike, car and wheel barrow tires on site as well. I believe an air compressor can be used to clean fresh farm eggs as well which is a part of my big farm plan!
Image 2: Portable Air Compressor
Source: www.lrseries.com
Once the seeds are maturing, drying and browning on the plant the seed head stems can be cut and tied together and hung from the trellis that the peas had been growing on. Then threshed similar to the favas or in a bucket with my feet.
Cleaning would occur in the exact same way as favas making the investment of buying an air compressor worthwhile.
Hi Carla; You've proposed some practical, and low-tech seed harvest and cleaning equipment choices. I approve of this, and think it's the most appropriate way for beginning seed growers to go. One suggestion have for the collection of the lettuce seed is to use a bucket (I actually use a plastic garbage pail I keep specifically for seed use) because being able to bang or rap the lettuce heads against the firm walls of a bucket helps release more seeds than you could otherwise harvest with just a paper bag. That's been my experience. Another note about the air compressor is that you will have to find one that allows for you to have an attachment that blows air in a concentrated stream. There are several types of wands or guns that are used for this with air compressors so be sure you buy an air compressor that can work with these. Other than these tips, I think your plans sound really good. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteHi Carla - Agreed; very good, down to earth plan! In terms of lettuce, I consider it one of the hardest crops to get completely clean as the final chaff is about the same size and weight of the seed. You can usually get it about 90% clean but that final 10% can be tough! Blowing on the seeds work for small seed lots. For larger lots, I have heard good reviews of a hand-built aspirator. You can find the plans at the website of a Welsh seed company, The Real Seed Company, and we're building one now :). Screens are an invaluable resource and I don't think you can have too many!
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