Common garden questions: Using leftover seed, identifying poison ivy

Q. Can the vegetable seeds I had left over this year be saved for next year and still be good?

The answer is YES! Some resources suggest that many kinds of seed can be saved 5 years and sometimes longer if properly stored.

The keys to storing leftover seed are temperature and humidity. Many folks simply put the leftover seed in sealed plastic bags and store in the refrigerator. A cool dry place in the basement will also work. Adding a desiccant such as dried rice or dried milk can further ensure the contents of the plastic bag will retain a consistent moisture. Most seeds that come in packets can be saved quite successfully this way. Seed corn doesn't save well, however. In terms of saving seed from your heirloom produce, there are many good resources online for this issue (check out Iowa's own Seedsavers Exchange for information). Note that hybrid seeds cannot be saved true to type.

Q. Can you tell me what poison ivy looks like? I'm breaking out and am not sure what to try to kill.

This is a common question and how many of us have heard the old saw, "Leaves of three, let it be"? But if you aren't familiar, there are some impostors that can give you a scare: Boston ivy, Virginia Creeper and Box elder.

So here are pictures of each so that you can have a visual guide to identification. The oil found in poison ivy, called urushiol, is an irritant that can cause rashes and serious respiratory problems if burned and the smoke is breathed in.