Seed saving is a great way to ensure access to seeds that are adapted to your region and to save money. By learning the basic principles of seed saving, gardeners can have plenty of seeds to share with others and can select the best tasting and healthiest fruits and plants from which to save seed. In today’s video, Angela from Growing in the Garden discusses the benefits of saving seeds, the basic principles of seed saving, and when to harvest and store seeds.

 

To be successful in saving seeds, it’s important to understand the different types of seeds and which ones are good for saving. Self-pollinating plants, such as beans, peas, and tomatoes, are good choices for first-time seed savers, while open-pollinated plants, such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn, will cross-pollinate and should be grown separately. Additionally, it’s important to save seeds that will be true to type and to select characteristics you want to continue by saving seeds from plants with those attributes. Finally, it’s essential to store seeds correctly for short- and long-term storage to ensure viability.

Key Takeaways

• Seed saving is a great way to ensure access to seeds adapted to your region and to save money.
• To be successful in saving seeds, it’s important to understand the different types of seeds, select the best fruits and plants from which to save seed, and store seeds correctly.
• Self-pollinating plants, such as beans, peas, and tomatoes, are good choices for first-time seed savers, while open-pollinated plants, such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn, will cross-pollinate and should be grown separately.

Benefits of Saving Seeds

Saving seeds has numerous benefits, and it is a practice that every gardener should consider. One of the most significant advantages of saving seeds is having access to seeds that are well adapted to your region. By saving seeds from year to year, you can ensure that you always have access to the seeds that you love. Additionally, learning how to save seeds can save you money in the long run.

Another benefit of saving seeds is having an abundance of seeds to share with others. You can set aside some seeds to plant next year and share the extras in a seed swap or donate them to a local seed library. Garden seeds also make great gifts for gardeners.

When saving seeds, it is important to understand the different types of seeds and which ones are good for saving. Self-pollinating crops such as beans, peas, and tomatoes are good choices for first-time seed savers. Open-pollinated plants such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn will cross-pollinate, meaning the seeds from one variety can be affected by pollen from a neighboring plant. It is important to avoid saving seeds from resulting fruit if you are growing more than one variety of a type of plant nearby each other.

Most heirloom seeds are good choices for saving seeds. This seed has often been handed down for several generations, normally at least 50 years. However, it is important to avoid saving seed from hybrid varieties, as these plants are often cross-pollinated to produce a third variety with the desired traits from the parents.

When deciding which plants to save seeds from, it is important to select the best tasting and healthiest fruits and plants. If a plant struggled with disease or just didn’t perform well, it is best not to save seeds from that plant. Seeds for saving must be fully developed on the plant or on the vine, and it is important to be patient and let those seeds fully develop before harvesting.

Different types of seeds require different methods of harvesting and preparing for storage. Dry seeds can be stored in paper envelopes, while wet seeds such as tomatoes and cucumbers often need to be fermented to remove the pulp and germination inhibiting substances on the outside of the seed. Once seeds are thoroughly dry, it is important to store them correctly for short-term or long-term storage. Labeling the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested is also crucial for future reference.

Basic Principles of Seed Saving

Seed saving is a great way to have access to seeds that are adapted to your region. It also saves you money and provides plenty of seeds to share with others. However, there are a few basic principles to understand to be successful in saving your own seeds.

Types of Seeds

It’s important to save seeds that will be true to type. Self-pollinating crops such as beans, peas, and tomatoes are good choices for first-time seed savers. Open-pollinated plants such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn will cross-pollinate, meaning the seeds from one variety can be affected by pollen from a neighboring plant. If you are growing more than one variety of a type of plant nearby each other, do not save seeds from resulting fruit as they may be cross-pollinated.

Most heirloom seeds are good choices for saving seeds as they have often been handed down for several generations (normally at least 50 years). However, do not save seed from hybrid varieties as seed from hybrid plants will not be true to type.

Selecting Seeds

When deciding to save seeds from a plant, select the best tasting and healthiest fruits and plants from which to save seed. Select characteristics you want to continue by saving seeds from plants with those attributes. If a plant struggled with disease or just didn’t perform well, do not save seeds from that plant.

Harvesting Seeds

Seeds for saving must be fully developed on the plant or on the vine. The best time to eat the fruit may not be the best time to save the seed. Here are a few tips about when to save a particular type of seed:

• Beans and peas are ready to harvest when the pods turn brown on the vine and shrink against the seeds.
• Radishes, lettuces, and greens flower and then produce seed pods. It’s best to let those seed pods fully develop on the plant and turn brown before harvesting.
• Pepper seeds are ripe when the peppers have reached their full color.
• Cucumber seeds are ripe when the cucumber is overripe and yellow. Harvest that overripe cucumber and set it aside for a couple of weeks before harvesting the seeds on the inside.
• Artichoke seeds are ready after the flower fully develops and you start to see kind of a fuzz form on that artichoke.
• Tomato seeds are ripe when the tomato is full colored and a little bit soft to the touch.
• Asparagus seeds are ready when those red berries that hold the seeds begin to shrivel and the seeds inside have turned black.
• Roselle seeds are ready when that calyx fully dries and begins to separate a little bit and gets really dry.
• Malabar spinach seeds are ready when those seeds are nice and dark.
• Dill seeds should be left on the plant until brown and dry. Cut off with a length of stem and allow to dry in a paper sack. The seeds will fall to the bottom. This same process also works with other herbs like basil and cilantro.
• Sunflower seeds can be harvested by waiting until the petals have fallen off and then cutting the sunflower leaving a few inches of stem and letting it dry with the seeds facing up.
• Wildflowers develop seeds and drop seeds naturally. It’s best to recognize what the seeds look like and leave a few blooms on the plants at the end of the season. Allow some to drop so that they can come back next year. Also, save some of those seeds to plant in other areas of your yard or to share with friends. A common method for saving wildflower seeds is to allow those seeds to fully develop on the flower and then snip those flower heads at the end of the season and leave them in a paper sack. Typically, those seeds are going to fall to the bottom of the sack and then you can remove the other parts of the flower.

Storing Seeds

Once seeds are thoroughly dry, it’s important to store them correctly. For short-term storage, store the seeds in paper envelopes. For longer storage, store in airtight containers. Be sure to label the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested.

Types of Seeds

Self-Pollinating Crops

Self-pollinating crops are those that typically pollinate themselves without any external help. These plants, such as beans, peas, and tomatoes, are great choices for first-time seed savers. They are easy to save and will remain true to type.

Open Pollinated Plants

Open pollinated plants, such as pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn, are those that can cross-pollinate with other plants. If you are growing more than one variety of a plant nearby each other, do not save seeds from the resulting fruit, as they may be cross-pollinated.

Heirloom Seeds

Most heirloom seeds are good choices for saving seeds. These seeds have often been handed down for several generations, typically at least 50 years. They are usually true to type and will produce plants with the same characteristics as the parent plant.

Hybrid Plants

Hybrid plants, often designated with an F1 distinction, are two varieties that have been cross-pollinated to produce a third variety with desired traits from the parents. Seed from hybrid plants will not be true to type, so it is not recommended to save seeds from these plants.

When saving seeds, it is important to select plants with desired traits and to save seeds from fully developed fruits or plants. The best time to save seeds varies depending on the type of plant. For dry seeds, it is best to allow them to dry naturally and store them in a paper sack. Wet seeds, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, often need to be fermented to remove the pulp and germination inhibiting substances on the outside of the seed.

Proper storage is also important for seed saving. For short-term storage, paper envelopes are suitable, while airtight containers are recommended for longer storage. Be sure to label the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested.

Choosing the Right Plant for Seed Saving

When it comes to seed saving, it’s important to understand which seeds are good for saving and which ones should be left to the experts. There are different types of seeds, and some are more suitable for seed saving than others.

Self-pollinating crops, such as beans, peas, and tomatoes, are great choices for first-time seed savers. These plants typically pollinate themselves without the help of insects or other plants, making them more likely to produce true-to-type seeds.

On the other hand, open-pollinated plants, like pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and corn, will cross-pollinate. This means that the seeds from one variety can be affected by pollen from a neighboring plant. If you’re growing more than one variety of a type of plant nearby each other, it’s best not to save seeds from resulting fruit, as they may be cross-pollinated.

Most heirloom seeds are good choices for saving seeds. These seeds have often been handed down for several generations, making them well-adapted to specific regions and climates.

However, it’s important to note that hybrid plants should not be used for seed saving. Hybrid plants are two varieties that have been cross-pollinated to produce a third variety with the desired traits from the parents. Seed from hybrid plants will not be true to type.

When deciding which plants to save seeds from, choose the best-tasting and healthiest fruits and plants with desirable attributes. Avoid saving seeds from plants that struggled with disease or didn’t perform well.

To ensure successful seed saving, it’s important to let seeds fully develop on the plant or vine. The best time to save a particular type of seed varies, but generally, it’s best to wait until the seeds are fully mature and have turned brown and dry.

For short-term storage, store seeds in paper envelopes. For longer storage, store in airtight containers and label the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested. By following these basic principles, you can be successful in saving your own seeds and have access to the seeds that you love indefinitely.

When to Harvest Seeds

Beans and Peas

Beans and peas are ready to harvest when the pods turn brown on the vine and shrink against the seeds.

Radishes, Lettuces and Greens

Radishes, lettuces and greens flower and then produce seed pods. It’s best to let those seed pods fully develop on the plant and turn brown before harvesting. Bag the seed pods so that the dry seeds don’t spill or harvest those dry seed pods each day as the seeds are ripening.

Pepper Seeds

Pepper seeds are ripe when the peppers have reached their full color. To harvest pepper seeds, simply slice the pepper open to get the seeds off the central stem.

Cucumber Seeds

Cucumber seeds are ripe when that cucumber is overripe and yellow. It’s definitely past the stage that it’s best to eat. Harvest that overripe cucumber and set it aside for a couple of weeks and then harvest the seeds on the inside.

Artichoke Seeds

Artichoke seeds are ready after the flower fully develops and you start to see kind of a fuzz form on that artichoke. At that point, you can pull the seeds up.

Tomato Seeds

Tomato seeds are ripe when the tomato is full colored, not firm but a little bit soft to the touch.

Asparagus Seeds

Asparagus seeds are ready when those red berries that hold the seeds begin to shrivel and the seeds inside have turned black.

Roselle Seeds

Roselle seeds are ready when that calyx fully dries and begins to separate a little bit and gets really dry. Go ahead and clip that calyx off, put it in a paper sack, and you can often crack roselle seeds open like a pecan and those seeds will be inside.

Malabar Spinach Seeds

Malabar spinach seeds are ready when those seeds are nice and dark.

Dill Seeds

To harvest dill seeds, leave the seeds on the plant until brown and dry. Cut off with a length of stem and allow to dry in a paper sack. The seeds will fall to the bottom. This same process also works with other herbs like basil and cilantro.

Sunflower Seeds

You can harvest seeds from any type of sunflower, not just the big mammoth varieties. To save seeds from sunflowers, wait until the petals have fallen off and then cut the sunflower leaving a few inches of stem and let it dry with the seeds facing up.

Wildflower Seeds

Wildflowers develop seeds and drop seeds naturally and that is how they come back year after year. Learn to recognize what the seeds look like and leave a few blooms on the plants at the end of the season. Allow some to drop so that they can come back next year. Also save some of those seeds to plant in other areas of your yard or to share with friends. A common method for saving wildflower seeds is to allow those seeds to fully develop on the flower and then snip those flower heads at the end of the season and leave them in a paper sack. Typically those seeds are going to fall to the bottom of the sack and then you can remove the other parts of the flour.

Different types of seeds have different methods for harvesting and getting those seeds ready to save. Wet seeds such as tomatoes and cucumbers often need to be fermented to remove that pulp and germination inhibiting substances on the outside of the seed. As those seeds ferment, the viable seeds will float to the bottom. Those are the ones you want to save and you can discard all that pulp and unviable seed. After the coating is removed, spread those viable seeds out on paper plates or wax paper. Allow the seeds to completely dry before you save them.

Saving dry seeds is pretty simple. The favorite method is just to put them in a paper sack and allow them to dry completely in that paper sack. Any extra moisture won’t be trapped inside that bag and so problems with mold and mildew are alleviated. Once seeds are thoroughly dry, it’s important to store your seeds correctly. For short-term storage, store the seeds in paper envelopes. For longer storage, store in airtight containers. Be sure to label the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested.

Methods for Harvesting

Dry Seeds

When it comes to saving dry seeds, the process is quite simple. The seeds should be left to dry naturally on the plant until they are fully developed. Once fully developed, the seeds can be harvested and stored. One effective method for storing dry seeds is to place them in a paper sack and allow them to dry completely. This method is preferred as it allows any extra moisture to escape, preventing problems with mold and mildew.

Wet Seeds

Harvesting wet seeds such as tomatoes and cucumbers requires a different approach. These seeds need to be fermented to remove the pulp and germination inhibiting substances on the outside of the seed. As the seeds ferment, the viable seeds will float to the bottom, and these are the ones that should be saved. The remaining pulp and unviable seeds can be discarded. Once the coating is removed, spread the viable seeds out on paper plates or wax paper and allow them to completely dry before storage.

It’s important to label the seeds with the type of seed and the year they were harvested. For short-term storage, store the seeds in paper envelopes, and for longer storage, store them in airtight containers. By understanding the different methods for harvesting and storing seeds, gardeners can save money, have access to seeds adapted to their region, and share seeds with others.

Storing Harvested Seeds

Short-Term Storage

After harvesting seeds, it is crucial to store them properly to ensure their viability. For short-term storage, paper envelopes are an excellent option. Place the seeds in an envelope and label it with the type of seed and the year it was harvested. Store the envelopes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Long-Term Storage

For long-term storage, it is best to use airtight containers. This will help prevent moisture and air from entering the container and damaging the seeds. Label the containers with the type of seed and the year it was harvested. Store the containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

It is essential to ensure that the seeds are fully developed before harvesting them. The best time to save seeds may not be the best time to eat the fruit. Different types of seeds require different methods for harvesting and getting them ready to save. Some seeds are dry seeds that you allow to dry naturally, while others are wet seeds that require fermentation to remove the pulp and germination inhibiting substances on the outside of the seed.

By following these basic principles of seed saving, gardeners can have access to seeds that are adapted to their region, save money, and have plenty of seeds to share with others. It is important to save seeds that will be true to type and select characteristics you want to continue by saving seeds from plants with those attributes. Avoid saving seeds from plants that struggled with disease or did not perform well.