Saving seeds from your garden is a rewarding way to preserve your favorite plants and ensure a bountiful garden next year. Whether you’re interested in heirloom varieties, reducing your gardening costs, or simply enjoying the full cycle of growing plants from seed to seed, it is easy to get started.
One major benefit of seed saving is that over time the seeds adapt to your garden conditions providing better plants for your location. Having seeds you saved from your garden can come in especially handy when you want to share with your friends or take to your local seed swap.
For zone 3, now (September) is the time to start collecting seeds or letting flowers mature into ripe seed pods so you can collect them later.
Seeds that are very easy to save are from herbs, beans, peas, poppies and cosmos. Tomato seeds can require cleaning but are so worth the extra step.
Although seed saving can be quite easy, not all seeds are suitable for saving and some require special handling. Avoid pumpkins and squashes, cucumbers and petunias as you are not likely to get the results you expect from these seeds next year.
If you are new to seed saving here is a quick start guide:
harvest when seeds are fully mature
Select seeds from your best plants,
Put your dry seeds in a paper envelope
Label and keep in a dry place.
If you are ready for some of the nitty gritty of saving seeds here are some helpful details.
Step 1: Choose the Right Plants
Focus on open-pollinated or heirloom varieties, as these produce seeds that will grow into plants similar to their parents. Avoid hybrid plants, as their seeds often do not produce true-to-type offspring. Select the healthiest, most productive plants to ensure you’re saving seeds from the best genetics.
Step 2: Harvesting Seeds
Timing is key when collecting seeds:
Vegetables: Allow fruits to fully ripen or even overripen on the plant. For example, tomatoes should be soft and very ripe.
Flowers: Wait until seed pods or flower heads are dry and brown before harvesting.
Herbs: Let seed heads dry on the plant before collecting.
Cut seed pods or scoop out seeds from fruits and spread them on a paper towel or plate to dry.
Step 3: Cleaning and Drying Seeds
Remove any plant debris and ensure seeds are fully dry to prevent mold. Spread them out in a warm, dry place away from direct sunlight. Depending on the type of seed, drying can take anywhere from a few days to a week.
Step 5: Storing Seeds
Proper storage is key to maintaining seed viability:
Containers: Use paper envelopes, glass jars, or airtight plastic containers. Label them with the plant name, variety, and the date of collection.
Conditions: Store seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place. A refrigerator or a cool basement works well. Seeds stored in a stable environment can last for several years.
Additional Tips:
Fermentation: Some seeds, like tomatoes, benefit from fermentation to remove the gelatinous coating. Place seeds in a jar with a little water, let them ferment for a few days, then rinse and dry.
Cross-Pollination: Be aware that some plants, like squashes, may cross-pollinate with other varieties, resulting in unpredictable offspring. To avoid this, isolate plants or hand-pollinate. Check out our article on seed saving and pollination.
Labeling: Always label your seeds with detailed information to avoid mix-ups next season.
Testing Seed Viability
Before planting saved seeds, you can test their viability:
Germination Test: Place a few seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it, and place it in a plastic bag. Keep it warm and check after a week or two. If most seeds sprout, they’re good to plant.
Why is a company that sells seeds advocating seed saving? Promoting self sustainable practices is a priority for Growzone3. We wish a happy garden for everyone, seed saving and sharing is the best way to achieve this.
Saving seeds is a fulfilling way to participate in the full life cycle of your garden plants. By following these steps, you can enjoy the satisfaction of growing plants from seeds you’ve saved yourself, year after year. Happy gardening!
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