S&S Seeds: Landscaping our Planet with Products and Solutions that Work. Gardening with wildflowers, grasses, turf, erosion control, and other agricultural methods. You can find your choice of wildflowers, fertilizer, and ground cover for your gardening needs.

A Young Mind Asks Albright

© 1999 Streamline Publications

Dear Albright Seed Company:

My name is Josh Pierce, and I am in the 4th grade at Parkview Heights Elementary School in LaVista, Nebraska. I have a question for you, and I hope that you can send me an answer soon. I didn't really know who to go to ask about this and my dad helped me find your address so I could ask you guys this question. My brother Brad told me that if you swallow seeds that they will grow in your stomack untill they stick out of your ears. I have heard this from other people too, but Brad has been telling me that a lot because I ate some grapes with seeds in them and instead of spitting out the seeds I just swallowed most of them. I did not have any place to spit out the seeds anyway. Brad was telling me all night that the seeds will sit in my stomack untill they start to grow and then they will grow into plants that will stick out of my ears if they do not grow into my brain.

I do not believe Brad, but he is going to keep saying this. It makes me worried a little bit because I also sometimes have swallowed seeds from apples, oranges, and I one time swallowed a cherry pit by accident. Can you please tell him that he is a jerk and a big fat lier. I think that if I have it in writing that he will maybe leave me alone about this.

Sincerely,
Josh Pierce
LaVista, Nebraska

Dear Josh,

This has been a problem for me too, especially being in the seed business where the threat is constant and everywhere—seeds, just looking for a place to germinate.

Your brother is teasing you, but on the off chance that he is right, I'd advise you to eat only the seeds of fruit that you like so later, after the plants are mature, you'll be happy to eat the harvest.

I'm just teasing you, Josh, but your letter brings up a very good point that I think needs attention—myths and misconceptions. The Seed Viability article on the last page of this newsletter addresses such a misunderstanding.

Apply Some Logic

You say in your letter that you do not believe Brad. That is an excellent start. You instinctively know that there is no evidence to support his claim. When was the last time you saw anyone with plants sticking out of his ears?

I encourage you to continue looking for the truth, Josh, because there are lots of myths that are accepted by many people as factual because they have not been subjected to logical thought. At Albright Seed Company we have to approach what we do scientifically, considering as much information as possible so we can reliably advise our customers.

When Old is New

Over the years we have come to recognize that indiscriminate use of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides can cause great harm because, in addition to killing off harmful organisms, they destroy beneficial insects, fungi and microorganisms that are essential to healthy plant growth.

We know now that there can be drawbacks to chemical—as opposed to organic—fertilizers, and that very often the natural approach to growing is by far the best. For example, there is an increased use of cover crops in orchards and vineyards—just as in the times of the ancient Romans and Greeks. Instead of scraping the unplanted areas down to bare earth, many farmers are now growing wildflowers and other plants between the vines and trees. Not only do these crops beautify the area, they help stop soil erosion, keep down dust and create a habitat for friendly insects that help protect crops.

You can read about the science of growing and much more at our web site—http://www.albrightseed.com. in the LEAF-let newsletter area. The next time Brad pulls a fast one on you, you'll be prepared with some facts.

But Josh, if your dad happens to mention that your ears are dirty enough to grow potatoes, you better go wash them—he isn't teasing.

Your Friend,
Paul Albright

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P.O. Box 1275
Carpinteria, CA 93014-1275
(805) 684-0436
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