Seed saving is like a treasure hunt. Just as a treasure hunt unveils hidden gems and valuables, seed saving uncovers the promise of future harvests, holding the key to preserving biodiversity, resilient crops, and the continuation of a plant’s legacy.
What is Seed Saving?
Seed saving is the practice of collecting and storing seeds from plants for future planting. It’s a tradition as old as agriculture itself, a way of preserving plant diversity and ensuring a bountiful harvest year after year. At times, seeds inadvertently dropped from plants can give rise to what’s known as a “volunteer plant,” even if you haven’t intentionally saved the seeds. Additionally, some people dig a hole and bury entire fruits or flowers, knowing that some of the seeds within them will likely regrow the following year.
Why Seed Saving Matters
Seed saving isn’t just a frugal or nostalgic practice. Saving seeds from your garden offers a range of benefits:
- Cost-Effective: By saving seeds from your garden, you reduce the need to purchase seeds or new plants for the next growing season, saving you money in the long run.
- Preserving Biodiversity: Saving seeds allow you to maintain the genetic diversity of plant species, which is crucial for resilience against diseases, pests, and changing environmental conditions.
- Adaptation to Local Conditions: Over time, saved seeds adapt to local conditions, becoming better suited to the specific environment of your garden. This can lead to more robust and successful crops.
- Sustainability: It prompts sustainable practices by reducing dependence on commercial seed sources, thus supporting a more self-reliant and eco-friendly approach to gardening.
Seed saving is not just a practical way to continue your garden from year to year. It’s also a way to engage with the natural cycles of life, fostering a deeper connection with the plants you grow. By saving seeds, you actively participate in preserving plant species and their unique traits.
5 Simple Steps to Save Seeds
Different plants have specific seed saving techniques. Some might need fermentation like tomatoes, while others simply need air-drying. These are general steps for saving seeds.
- Selecting plants: Choose healthy plants with desirable traits, like good yield, taste or resilience. Allow these plants to mature fully on the vine or stalk.
- Harvesting: When the plants, either fruits or flowers, are ripe, carefully collect the fruits or flowers.
- Extraction: Remove the seeds from the fruits or flowers. For some fruit like peppers and flowers, allow them wither and dry out, then collect seeds.
- Cleaning: Clean the seeds by rinsing or removing any residual plant material.
- Drying: Spread the cleaned seeds on a flat surface, like a tray or paper towel, to dry. Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold. Leave them to dry thoroughly for a couple of weeks.
Always select seeds from open-pollinated or heirloom plants to ensure the next generation of plants retains the desired characteristics.
How to Save Seeds from Store-Bough Vegetables
You can absolutely save seeds from store-bought vegetables. For instance, save seeds from fully ripened bell peppers. Dry and store them just as the above method. I purchased Korean sticky corns from H mart, dried them by hanging in the greenhouse to ensure they were thoroughly dried, and saved the seeds for gardening next season.
Where to Store Seeds
Once seeds are completely dry, store them in airtight containers, like envelopes or glass jars, in a cool, dark, and dry place. Label them clearly with the plant type, date, and any other essential details.
I use the below small resealable bags for their compact size and convenient window, allowing easy inspection of the seeds and enabling quick restocking if necessary. Additionally, I make use of small repurposed glass jars for seed storage.
How to Label Seeds
Labeling is key! Include the plant name, variety, and the year the seeds were saved. I prefer to label seeds by writing directly on the seed bag. For glass jars, I use round labels affixed to the jar lids to identify the seeds stored inside.
Book Recommendation for Seed Saving
I found the below book at my local library and I thought this is a good guide book for seed saving. I hope this helps your seed saving journey.
Seed saving is a gateway to a more sustainable and diverse garden. Try it out with a few plants this season and witness the magic of growing your garden from your own saved.
Read Next
*Disclaimer: Affiliate Links
Please note that this website may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only promote products or services that we believe will add value to our readers.
These affiliate relationships have no influence on the editorial content or opinions expressed on this website. We are committed to providing honest and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions.
Your support through these affiliate links is greatly appreciated, as it helps us maintain and improve the quality of our content. If you have any questions or concerns about our use of affiliate links, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for being a valued reader of our blog.
