Resting Vessels

Resting Vessels is an installation of clay forms, each holding seeds saved from plants grown at home over the past two years. During the duration of the exhibition, all seeds are free for anyone committed to caring for them. My aspiration is for them to spread out into the world so they may benefit others. Heartfelt thanks to artist Greg Reuter for generously sharing his expertise, time, and collaborative energy to raku-fire these pots.

Seeds are integral beings in this work. My ideas about them were shaped by an online course taken in the Spring of 2020. Amidst the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic, the Seed Seva program was a refuge which forever shifted my priorities/practices of working with plants. Developed by author and indigenous food sovereignty activist, Rowen White, this course is a “holistic, indigenous permaculture-based approach to seed stewardship which honors the many layers of seed culture, from practical hands-on skills, cultural context and memory with guiding principles rooted in an indigenous ecology of interconnected relations.” Rowen White emphasizes ethical dimensions of seed-keeping and encourages honest introspection so we may actively participate in reciprocal cycles of benefit. Cultivating awareness and concern for other forms of life, what she poetically calls reverent curiosity, is a foundational practice from which much of this work originates. Seeds challenge our conventional notions of birth and death; they exist suspended in a liminal space, containing tiny beginnings of roots, leaves, and a mysterious understanding of how to transition between the darkness of the soil into the resplendence of the above-ground world. I created hand-shaped forms to hold the seeds so they may receive comfort as they patiently wait to come into their own unique fullness. In sharing them with others, I hope they can provide nourishment and empowerment, as well as space for wonder, care, and delight.

Care suggestions for each type of seed can be found below:

elena’s Rojo Amaranth

Planting: Does well in full sun, not picky about soil. Each stalk grows to be very tall and a couple feet wide, so plant in an area with adequate space. Seeds can be directly sown 1/8”-1/4” deep. In my experience, this plant has grown well year-round. When grown during colder months, leaves and flowers deepen in color.

This beautiful amaranth variety is from Guatemala and was named after the Indigenous farmer who saved this particular cultivar. Amaranth has been a staple crop for indigenous communities throughout north, central, and south america. The plant’s seeds are very small, but grow into vigorous, tall plants, ranging from 5-8 feet tall. I recommend planting these in the ground rather than a planter as they need space. The seeds can be eaten in a variety of ways: popped like popcorn, eaten fresh as a topping for salads/cereal, or dried and cooked. They’re slightly nutty tasting and delicious! Young leaves can also be lightly cooked and eaten.

Each flower cluster produces thousands of tiny seeds which can be gathered by running your fingers through the blooms with a bowl beneath. If you try doing this and nothing happens, just wait a little longer. Birds also love these seeds. You can separate parts of the flowers from the leaves by placing them on a plate and blowing- the lighter flowers will tend to float away and the seeds will remain.

Sweet Basil

Planting: Tolerates full sun, but also appreciates some shade during our intense summers. Sow seeds about 1/4” deep.

This variety is easy to care for and this seed has been grown in Corpus Christi during several growing seasons. Basil is native to India, and is believed to also have originated across tropical areas of Africa and Southeast Asia. Sweet basil’s flowers attract Many pollinators. The herb can be used fresh for cooking, as a tea, and dried as a spice.

To save seeds, wait for the flowers to dry and brown; the seeds are small and black, encased in each flower. You can cut off flower stalks to dry, or can simply run your hand from the bottom up to separate the flowers/seeds from the stalk. Allow them to air dry for at least two weeks before storing.

Tiger’s Eye Bean

Planting: These seeds have been grown in full sun with great success; They do best in warm months. Sow 1” deep. They have white flowers and are heavy producers.
These are bush habit beans, so they do not require a support for growing. This variety was sourced from Seed Savers Exchange, and either originated in Chile or Argentina. This bean has beautiful, varied markings which deepen in color as they dry. They become very soft when cooked .
You can pick these as fresh shelled beans when the pods are still green, or you can wait for the pod to dry out and become brown. If saving seeds to grow again, wait until the pod becomes dried and brown.

Chinese Long Bean

Planting: This plant will benefit from a support because of how they grow (pole beans), and can be planted in full sun at 1/2” deep. Their flowers are lavender.
While the beans can become quite long, if you grow these to eat, it’s best to pick the beans when they are young (1 foot long or less). They can be eaten fresh or steamed; they make a wonderful green bean for cooking!
If saving seed, wait for the bean pod to dry, then let the beans fully dry out before storing to avoid molding.

Canny lily

Planting: Canna seeds have a hardy seed coat. Scarification is a way to remove a small part of the seed coat to allow water in, helping the seed sprout more quickly. Rub the seed on a metal file or piece of rough sandpaper and stop as soon as you see the white endosperm. You can then soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. Then plant the seeds 1/4” deep in an area with full sun. They are monocots, meaning the sprout will be of one single leaf (shown here) .
These plants have been cultivated by indigenous americans for thousands of years. Used as a food crop, the roots, young shoots and leaves are all edible. The roots form rhizomes, and these will multiply easily.
This plant produces a great number of seeds! They initially appear as a spiky green pod. Let this dry out on the plant and turn brown. Rounded black seeds are viable.

pink celery

Planting: This variety tolerates full sun but can also be grown in partial shade here in South TX. Sow 1/8” deep. The seeds may take up to two weeks to sprout- they prefer temperatures of 70-75 degrees for germination.
This variety is originally from Northern China, produces celery that with slender pink stems. The flavor is very strong, so if eating raw, pick when young; otherwise, cook the stalks/leaves. This variety can also be used for pickling.
To save seeds (which also. can be used. as a seasoning), let the plant go to flower; simply wait for the flowers to turn brown and dried. You can clip off the stems of flowers ,then use your fingers to remove the seeds from the stems.

cilantro

Planting: you can plant these in full sun at 1/4”-1/2” deep; the seeds germinate at temperatures of 55-68 degrees.
This variety was gifted by a friend and tolerates hot and humid conditions better than other cultivars. In my experience it has grown very easily here in Corpus and creates many savable seeds after the plant goes to flower. The plant grows best in our cooler months. Fresh cilantro is more tender and delicious than those from the grocery store! The seeds of the cilantro plant are known as coriander.
To save seeds, wait for. the flowers to brown and dry out. The seeds will at first be green; when they are brown, you can clip off the stems and pull the seeds off with your fingers.

blue Jade Sweet corn

Planting: Sow seeds in an area with full sun 1” deep after the danger of frost has passed. It’s best to plant corn in blocks rather than rows, because this improves the likelihood of pollination. In an ear of corn, each silk represents one kernel. For the entire ear to become corn, as many silks as possible must be fertilized by pollen, which falls from the flowers of the plant (also known as the tassel). This is separate from the silks, so when plants grow together, pollen is more likely to land on the silk threads.
This is a dwarf variety, and can be planted in raised beds or containers as it only grows about 2 feet tall. When the plant begins to flower, it helps to pollinate the silks by hand. Certainly this will happen naturally via the wind and insects, but simply tapping some pollen into your palm then running it over the silks will help. Do this when conditions are dry. The corn is sweetest when the kernels just begin to turn blue. You can peek into the ear of corn by carefully pulling the top part of the husk back just a bit to peek inside. The corn can also be eaten when it is a darker blue, but the flavor is less sweet.
To save seeds, let the corn husks dry out and turn tan; the entire plant will typically turn brown. Then , pull the ears off by bending them downward. To dry the corn, pull all of the husks backward and hang. Sweet corn varieties shrivel when they dry. When the ear is shriveled, the kernels can be popped off the ear for storage.

glass gem corn

Planting: Sow seeds in an area with full sun 1” deep after the danger of frost has passed. This variety will grow to be about 4-5 feet tall; in my experience they have grown very well in our clay soil. It’s best to plant corn in blocks rather than rows, because this improves the likelihood of pollination. In an ear of corn, each silk represents one kernel. For the entire ear to become corn, as many silks as possible must be fertilized by pollen, which falls from the flowers of the plant (also known as the tassel). This is separate from the silks, so when plants grow together, pollen is more likely to land on the threads of silk.
When the plant begins to flower, it helps to pollinate the silks by hand. Certainly this will happen naturally via the wind and insects, but simply tapping some pollen into your palm then running it over the silks will help. Do this when conditions are dry. This variety of corn develops into a beautiful range of hues. Some ears are more monochromatic while others are a mixture of many colors. You can gently pull back the husks to check on the colors of some of the kernels.
This variety is a flint corn, meaning the kernels become very hard and are not sweet. Rather than eating the corn fresh, this variety is best used for grinding into corn flour. You can also use this variety to make popcorn! Allow the kernels to dry on the cob for at least 2 months if popping. Test a few kernels first; the corn kernels must be dried in order to pop. ]
To save seeds, let the corn husks dry out and turn tan; the entire plant will typically turn brown. Then , pull the ears off by bending them downward. To dry the corn, pull all of the husks backward and hang. The colors will deepen as the corn dries.

pink corn

Planting: Sow seeds in an area with full sun 1” deep after the danger of frost has passed. This variety will grow to be about 3-4 feet tall; in my experience they have grown very well in our clay soil. It’s best to plant corn in blocks rather than rows, because this improves the likelihood of pollination. In an ear of corn, each silk represents one kernel. For the entire ear to become corn, as many silks as possible must be fertilized by pollen, which falls from the flowers of the plant (also known as the tassel). This is separate from the silks, so when plants grow together, pollen is more likely to land on the threads of silk.
This variety is very robust and drought tolerant! The leaves and flowers are large, and sometimes the pollen producing anthers are a beautifully rich burgundy color. When the plant begins to flower, it helps to pollinate the silks by hand. Certainly this will happen naturally via the wind and insects, but simply tapping some pollen into your palm then running it over the silks will help. Do this when conditions are dry.
This variety is a flour corn, so the kernels can be dried then ground into a flour, or the corn can be cooked in a stew. There is great variety in the hues and markings on the kernels; each are different. The corn can be left on the plant and picked until the husk is dry and brown.

dahlberg daisy

Planting: These seeds are tiny! Rather than burying them in the soil, you want to gently press them into the surface (called surface sowing), and keep them moist as they germinate. Because the seeds are so small, water them with light pressure.
This plant is one of my very favorites!! They are drought-tolerant, native to our area, and the leaves produce the most lovely bright scent when you rub them between your fingers. And of course they produce the sweetest little yellow flowers. This plant thrives in our hot and humid conditions and easily re-seeds. Often seeds land in cracks between concrete/pavers, brightening up areas all by themselves. The plant has a mounding habit, and only grows to be about 8” tall.
Each flower produces dozens of seeds; a few days after the flowers have fully bloomed, they begin to dry out and turn brown. You can twist the heads of the flowers off to save seeds, or you can simply let them produce seeds so that in future seasons the plant will return. If saving the seeds, be sure to let them dry out completely before storing to prevent molding.

gomphrena

Planting: The seeds of this plant are tucked within the spiky parts of the flower, so the first step is to pull away the feathery outer layer. The seeds are very small so have something nearby to put them in. They are tiny and brown. Sow in an area with full sun, 1/8” deep. This woman’s youtube tutorial is very helpful:
This is an amazing plant! Gomphrena thrives in our intense late summer heat when many other plants have finished blooming. The flowers can be picked fresh and brewed into a tea which has been known to have anti-inflammatory effects. The flowers maintain their vivd magenta color even after being picked, so they make great cut flowers.
If growing to save seed, allow the flowers to turn fade in color until they turn light brown. The flower head can be crumbled apart for storage.

Blue Mist Flower

Planting: These seeds are tiny! Rather than burying them in the soil, you want to gently press them into the surface (also called surface sowing), and keep them moist as they germinate. Because the seeds are so small, water them with light pressure.
This plant is native to our area, drought tolerant once established, and attracts pollinators. Specifically, monarchs and queen butterflies (shown here feeding on some lantana). This plant is a perennial, and blooms most heavily in late fall.
If saving seeds, let the flowers turn brown; they will become fluffy and tan. Seeds that are darker are viable.

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Jewels of Opar

Planting: These seeds are very small! They are encased in the rounded seed pod, which cracks easily. Rather than burying them in the soil, you want to gently press them into the surface (also called surface sowing).
This plant is a perennial here in South Texas, and re-seeds easily. The leaves send up tall stems with bright fuschia flowers. They grow very well in containers, and can tolerate dry conditions.
To save the seeds, allow the flowers to turn into the small, rounded fruits, and clip the stems. The seeds are inside the tiny pods and are very small and black.

luffa squash

Planting: Luffa plants send out fast growing vines, so it helps to plant these near a fence or some other type of vertical support. You can lightly scarify the seeds by running them across a medium grit sandpaper a few times. Then, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. The plant takes many months to develop fruit; I suggest planting. in the early spring so that you can harvest the loofah squash. in the fall. Sow 1/2” deep in full sun.

It may take months for the squash to begin forming. The plant produces male and female flowers; the male flowers contain pollen and are more abundant than the female flowers. You can pollinate by hand by simply picking the male flowers and applying pollen to the female flowers. Once pollinated, the squash will begin to form behind the flower.

african marigold

Planting: Sow seeds ¼” deep in full sun. Seeds will germinate best in temperatures ranging from 70-75 degrees.

Marigolds are native to areas of current day Mexico and Guatemala and have been used all over the world for various medicinal and ceremonial purposes. This variety of marigold grows taller and creates larger blooms; most flowers from this cultivar create large orange flowers, and sometimes yellow ones. The blooms are edible, can be used to create a tea, and maintain their beautiful vibrant color when dried.

To save seeds, wait for the flower to die and turn brown; pick the flower heads off the stems and crack open the flower head. Inside you’ll find dozens of beautiful seeds! These can be used for future growing seasons.

french marigold

Planting: Sow seeds 1/8”-1/4” deep in full sun,

Marigolds are native to areas of current day Mexico and Guatemala and have been used all over the world for various medicinal and ceremonial purposes. This variety is smaller and grows about 18” tall. The vivid quality of this mixture of several different cultivars produces blooms of great variety and intensity; their colors are so vibrant they almost appear to glow! The blooms are edible, can be used to create a tea.

blue morning glory

Planting: These seeds will germinate more easily if the seed coat is lightly scarified, which you can do by running the seed over a metal file or some sandpaper to lightly remove part of the outer seed coat. Then, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Sow ¼ inch deep. For the most blooms, plant in a sunny area. They are a vine, so they appreciate being planted near some kind of support. They prefer temperatures ranging from 70-85 degrees for germination.

These are very special to me as they are the first seeds I ever began saving! My mother grew them when I was young and she passed a container of them along to me about 10 years ago. I always thought it was amazing how she was able to fill large jars of these seeds in just one season! Morning glories are native to areas of Mexico and are beloved all over the world. This particular cultivar is a beautiful periwinkle color; every morning, they open up when the sun comes out, and each flower lasts for only a day. They bloom continuously and attract a variety of pollinators. They are drought tolerant once established.

To save their seeds, wait for tan husks to appear on the vine. They appear spherical in shape and encase several deep brown seeds. Pull them off and store in a dry cool place.

pride of barbados

Planting: Sow seeds 1/2” deep. They tolerate full sun. These seeds will germinate more easily if the seed coat is lightly scarified, which you can do by running the seed over a metal file or some sandpaper to lightly remove part of the outer seed coat.

These are incredible plants! They create a profusion of brightly colored blooms and are drought tolerant. We grow these in an area that gets full sun and they seem completely unbothered by the heat. They grow fast and can be cut back in the spring after the threat of freezing has passed.

To save seeds, wait for the seed pods to turn brown. The pods will actually pop open on their own! So putting the pods in a paper bag will help prevent them stay in one place :)

peanut

Planting: Sow in an area with full sun, each 2” deep. Leave the shell on! These will grow best in soil that is a bit loose. Plant as soon as the danger of frost has passed. The plants will widen as they grow, so space out the seeds out about 8”.

For months, I was unable to identify a small plant with deep green , rounded leaves and beautiful, buttery flowers. Figuring it may be some native weed, I let the plant grow because I thought they were beautiful. Then one day, while looking something up in a seed saving book, I randomly opened to the peanut page, and there they were!! I was shocked, as I wanted to try to grow peanuts, but they seemed like too much work!! Joke was on me; these were the easiest plants to grow, and really all they need is some time. Thank you, to some mysterious critter who brought a peanut seed to our flower bed : )

This plant has a very interesting way of creating seeds: Once a flower is pollinated, the bloom falls off, and the stem slowly makes their way down into the soil; the ovary of the plant begins to grow and after several months, the peanuts become fully formed! So to harvest, you bury your hand in the soil and feel around for them. Wait for the seeds to turn light brown, then rinse them off with water. In my experience the plant kept continuously producing peanuts (perhaps because of our warm weather), so I would simply feel around and pick out the ones that were ready. Alternatively, you can use a spading fork to pull up the entire plant in late fall.

aji charapita pepper

Planting: Sow seeds about 1/4” deep in an are that received full sun. To ensure germination, you can begin these indoors first. They appreciate warm temperatures to germinate, and are a little slow to sprout and grow at first, but once they become established they are prolific!

These peppers are originally from Peru, and grow in the Amazon rainforest. Their growth habit/shape and size reminds me of our native chile pequins. They are small, round peppers that are very spicy and flavorful! Like many other aji peppers, they have a bright, fruity flavor that is distinct and delicious. So long as we don’t experience any hard freezes, these will continue to grow for multiple seasons. We’ve noticed the mockingbirds love these spicy peppers :)

Saving these is a little tedious! Since the peppers are so tiny (and spicy), it’s easiest to let them dry out inside by laying them out on a plate for about a week; then, just crush the pepper to release the seeds.

black hungarian pepper

Sow seeds about 1/4” deep in an area that received full sun. To ensure germination, you can begin these indoors first. Some people like to use a heating mat, but I’ve had good luck with simply placing the seedlings in a container with a clear plastic lid over the top- This traps in humidity and creates a warm environment to encourage their sprouting. After they sprout, this can be removed, and once they produce several “true” leaves, they can begin to be transitioned outside. It’s best to do this gradually so they can accustom to the change in temperature/humidity.

These have been the heaviest producing hot pepper we’ve grown! They create beautiful large, purple flowers and the peppers have a very interesting, rich flavor. They are about the size of a jalapeño. The peppers begin as green, then deepen into purple, and then to a bright red (the spiciest!).

These seeds are easy to save; simply remove the membrane coated in seeds, then separate them out so they don’t mold. I like using coffee filters for this.

corbaci pepper

These peppers are not spicy, but rather sweeten as they ripen- They begin as a light green, then turn yellow, orange, and last, red. They are long and thin, and about half of them will twist and coil. Even small plants produce many large peppers. They can be dried and used as a flaked seasoning, cooked, or even pickled.

To save the seeds, you can either carefully slice the flesh down one side while the pepper is fresh, or you can wait for them to dry out, and then break the pepper open and loosen the seeds. If saving from a fresh pepper you want to lay the seeds out and allow them to dry- a coffee filter works well for this.

habanada pepper

This pepper has the bright, fruity flavor of a habanero without any heat! Great for salsas or sliced fresh.

To save the seeds, remove the small membrane that is full of seeds and then separate them off onto a paper towel or coffee filter- allow them to fully dry before storing.

sugar rush peach pepper

This pepper has a delicious, sweet flavor along with a great deal of spice! The peppers take a while to ripen on the plant, but it’s worth the wait! They are ripe when they turn light orange.

To save the seeds, remove the small membrane that is full of seeds and then separate them off onto a paper towel or coffee filter- allow them to fully dry before storing.

Rock Rose

Planting: Sow seeds 1/8”-1/4” deep. They tolerate full sun but can also grow well in areas with light shade. They are not picky about soil.

This plant is native to our area, so they are expertly adapted to our climate and attracts many pollinators! They create small, bright pink flowers that look like miniature hibiscus; they belong to the same mallow family. They bloom throughout the spring and fall seasons, and can grow up to 4 feet tall once established. They are very drought tolerant. This plant is a perennial, typically living for 3-6 years. They can be pruned back after the danger of frost has passed to encourage new, fresh growth.

To save seeds, keep an eye on the seed pods. They form after a flower has died and fallen off. At first they are bright green. As soon as they turn brown they are good to harvest; once they turn dark brown they fall off the plant quite easily.

Turk’s Cap

Planting: These will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions but do best in partial shade. Sow seeds 1/4”-1/2” deep in the spring. They will grow into a shrub about 3 feet tall, and are perennial.

These are native to our area and attract a variety of hummingbirds and butterflies! They are drought tolerant once established.

To save the seeds, wait for the flowers to die and develop into bright red berries. When they become somewhat dried they are good to save.

mammoth sunflower

Planting: Sow seeds 1/2” deep in an area that receives full sun.

These require very little specialized care; they tolerate our warm weather well! When the flower heads begin to droop, the seeds can be harvested. Simply crack the center of the flower head to access the seeds- They can be eaten fresh, roasted, or saved for next year.

purple tomatillo

Planting: Sow seeds about 1/4” deep in full sun. To ensure germination, you can begin these indoors (or outdoors so long as it’s warm) first. After they sprout, let them produce several “true” leaves- at this point they can begin to be transitioned outside. It’s best to do this gradually so they can accustom to the change in temperature/humidity.

These are delicious and tangy and produce deep purple fruits. To save the seeds, scoop them out of a ripened fruit and allow them to dry somewhere with good air circulation.

brad’s atomic grape tomato

Planting: Sow seeds 1/8” deep. Plant in full sun. To ensure germination, you can begin them indoors. After they sprout, wait until they produce several “true” leaves- then they can begin to be transitioned outside. It’s best to do this gradually so they can accustom to the change in temperature/humidity.

This variety produces colorful grape-plum sized tomatoes that have an amazingly rich and sweet flavor! They are ripe when they are slightly soft and develop a light red blush. The foliage of this variety is naturally a little droopy and appears delicate, but the plant is hardy once it becomes established.

To save tomato seeds, lightly fermenting them breaks down the gelatinous membrane- Doing so greatly improves the chances the seeds will germinate and mimics the natural fermentation process that happens when the fruit rots on the vine. To do this, scoop out the seeds into a small jar, and cover with about 1/2”-1” of water. Lightly close the cap but do not close it tightly. Place in a dark area for a few days, then rinse the seeds in a sieve. Let them dry out in an area with good air circulation.

fox cherry tomato

This variety is so prolific! And they are very sweet. You will have fresh tomatoes for days :)

toothache plant

Planting: These seeds are tiny, and can be found inside each flower head by breaking it apart. Surface-sow the seeds by gently pressing them into the soil. They will do best in areas with some shade.

The name of this flower refers to the medicinal use of the flower heads and the numbing effect they create! When the flowers are still fresh, you can nibble off a bite and will experience a tingling sensation that lasts about 10 minutes- It is a feeling that’s hard to describe- like nature’s pop-rocks! This plant is said to attract fireflies and has antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic properties.

Seeds can be collected once the flower heads dry out on the plant.

cactus zinnia

Planting: Sow seeds 1/4” deep an in an area that receives full sun. They get about 3-5’ tall.

These are my favorite cut-flowers to grow! They thrive in our intense summer heat and create very large, colorful flowers. The blooms are long-lasting and the stems are sturdy. They attract many different pollinators.

To save the seeds, wait for the petals to turn slightly brown and gently pull a couple petals outward- if the seed is pollinated/viable, it will be plump (usually a greenish or brown color).