Simple Tools for Threshing Seeds
 
 
 
by BC Farms & Food - Permalink
October 21, 2021
A set of screens can simplify the task of cleaning barley seed.
Gardeners who save seed, or grow and harvest grains, know that separating seeds from their pods or husks can be a time-consuming job. While large industrial growers use machines to thresh and winnow seed crops, home seed savers can look to a number of simpler tools to accomplish the task. Once cleaned, seeds stored in moisture-proof containers can last for several years.
Here are six devices for separating seeds from debris and chaff:
Low-Tech Ways for Separating Seeds
• Pillowcase or Cloth Sack – Perhaps the most common method of hand threshing, place seed pods in the sack and thrash (“thresh”) it against a hard surface to break the seeds from their coverings.
• Boards – Place harvested seed pods between two boards and apply gentle pressure to crack open the pods. Take care not to press so hard you split the seeds.
• Screens or Strainers – Screens with meshes of varying sizes provide a quick way to separate debris from seeds. Even using a single screen is a vast improvement over hand picking. Screens work especially well for seeds (such as lettuce) that do not have pods. A set of graduated screens will cut out about 80 percent of the hand work. You can build screens yourself or buy them pre-built.
• Wind Power – Outside on a breezy day, drop seed from one container into another and let the wind blow away the unwanted chaff.
• Electric Fan – While wind can be fickle and blow your chaff in unexpected directions, a fan set on low will produce a steady stream of air for winnowing.
• Gravity – This works well for round seeds. Use gravity to help roll seeds down a newspaper into a container. The heavier seeds roll down, while the chaff remains behind.
Slideshow: How to Screen and Winnow Seeds
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Sage seeds that have been harvested and left to dry.
Using newspaper, wind power and simple screens, this slideshow demonstrates several easy ways to separate seeds from their pods and husks. Many of the methods use materials already found at home.
from → Gardening, Green Technology, Practical Skills, Sustainable Agriculture
tags: cleaning seed, how to screen and winnow seeds, low-tech seed cleaning, low-tech ways to separate seed from chaff, low-tech ways to winnow seeds, screening seed, seed saving, separating seeds, threshing seed, winnowing seed
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of seed saving and gardening, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in separating seeds from their pods or husks. Over the years, my passion for sustainable agriculture has driven me to explore and master various techniques for cleaning and preserving seeds. My knowledge is not just theoretical; it is grounded in practical experiences and a commitment to fostering eco-friendly practices in the realm of agriculture.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article "Simple Tools for Threshing Seeds" by BC Farms & Food, published on October 21, 2021:
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Threshing:
- Definition: Threshing is the process of separating seeds from their pods or husks.
- Method: The article suggests using a pillowcase or cloth sack to place seed pods and thrash them against a hard surface, breaking the seeds from their coverings.
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Low-Tech Seed Cleaning:
- Definition: Low-tech seed cleaning involves utilizing simple and accessible tools to separate seeds from debris and chaff.
- Methods: The article introduces various low-tech methods, including using boards, screens or strainers, wind power, electric fan, and gravity for seed cleaning.
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Screens or Strainers:
- Definition: Screens with meshes of varying sizes are tools that provide a quick way to separate debris from seeds.
- Application: Screens work well, especially for seeds like lettuce that do not have pods. Graduated screens can significantly reduce the need for hand picking.
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Winnowing:
- Definition: Winnowing is the process of separating lighter chaff or debris from seeds using air currents.
- Methods: The article mentions using wind power outdoors on a breezy day, as well as employing an electric fan set on low for a steady stream of air to facilitate winnowing.
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Gravity:
- Application: Gravity can be harnessed to separate seeds from chaff, particularly for round seeds. The article suggests using gravity to roll seeds down a newspaper into a container, allowing the heavier seeds to descend while leaving the chaff behind.
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Seed Saving:
- Definition: Seed saving involves preserving seeds for future planting, enabling sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture.
- Importance: Once cleaned, seeds stored in moisture-proof containers can last for several years, contributing to the long-term success of a seed-saving endeavor.
In summary, the article highlights a range of low-tech tools and methods for seed cleaning and emphasizes the significance of proper storage for preserving seeds. These techniques are invaluable for home seed savers, offering practical and accessible solutions to streamline the process of separating and preserving seeds.
