Seed Saving Guide

Saving seeds connects you to thousands of years of agricultural tradition. It's a path to self-sufficiency, preserving heirloom varieties, and developing plants perfectly adapted to your garden.

Why Save Seeds?

• Free seeds: Never buy seeds again for favorite varieties
• Adaptation: Plants become adapted to your conditions
• Preservation: Keep heirloom varieties alive
• Selection: Improve plants for your specific needs
• Independence: Less reliance on seed companies

Understanding Pollination

Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid

• Open-pollinated (OP): Produce offspring true to parent—SAVE THESE
• Heirloom: Open-pollinated varieties 50+ years old—SAVE THESE
• Hybrid (F1): Cross of two varieties—offspring won't be true to type

Self-Pollinating vs. Cross-Pollinating

• Self-pollinating: Beans, peas, tomatoes, lettuce—easy to save
• Cross-pollinating: Corn, squash, brassicas—need isolation

Easy Seeds for Beginners

Beans and Peas

1. Let pods dry completely on plant (brown and rattling)
2. If weather threatens, harvest and dry indoors
3. Shell seeds from pods
4. Dry additional 1-2 weeks indoors
5. Store when seeds break, not bend

Tomatoes

1. Select fully ripe fruit from best plants
2. Cut and scoop seeds with gel into jar
3. Add water, ferment 2-3 days (kills diseases)
4. Rinse when scum forms on top
5. Dry on coffee filter or plate

Peppers

1. Allow to ripen fully (red, orange, or final color)
2. Cut open, scrape out seeds
3. Dry on plate for 1-2 weeks
4. No fermentation needed

Lettuce

1. Allow plant to bolt and flower
2. Wait for fluffy seed heads to form
3. Harvest when 50% have fluff
4. Dry in paper bag for 1-2 weeks
5. Shake or rub to release seeds

Intermediate: Squash Family

Squash readily cross-pollinates. Options:

• Grow only one variety per species
• Hand-pollinate and bag flowers
• Isolate by 1/4 mile or more

Tip: Different species don't cross (winter squash and zucchini are different species!)

Seed Drying

Proper drying is critical:

• Dry in warm, airy location
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Target moisture content below 8%
• Seeds should snap, not bend
• Allow 2-4 weeks drying time

Storage

Conditions

• Cool: Refrigerator or cool basement ideal
• Dry: Add silica gel packets to containers
• Dark: Light degrades seeds
• Airtight: Mason jars or sealed bags

Lifespan

• 1-2 years: Onions, parsnips, parsley
• 3-4 years: Beans, peas, carrots, peppers
• 5+ years: Tomatoes, lettuce, squash

Labeling

Always label with:

• Variety name
• Year harvested
• Any notes about the plant