Seed Saving

Seed saving can be quite rewarding. Not only do you save $$$, but now, all the neighbors call you 'friend'. You will have more than enough. You could 'start them' in spring and share the newly grown offspring or have a plant sale.

First you want examine the plant you want to save seeds from. Was it a healthy plant? Did it produce the size and amount of fruit you expected? Are the seeds clear of any developing mold or disease? Is it worth your time and storage space to save them? Will you take the time in early spring to get them started and care for them until they are ready to be transplanted into the garden?

It really is quite easy, all you need to do is collect the seed, dry and store.

Collect your seed, keeping them separate; being careful not to mix with other neighboring seeds.

You will need to remove the seed head from the spent flower and let dry on a piece of paper towel. Do not handle unnecessarily, this will break or damage the seeds. After they are dry you can remove the seeds from the small stem by gently running your finger across them. Some seeds take days to dry while others take weeks to dry. Be patient!

Now, some seeds are inside the fruit and you will need to remove them for drying, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash...etc. Scoop out the seeds and smear on paper towel to dry. After they are dried, you can gently scrape the seed into a labeled envelope and seal. Make sure you label with the name of the plant and the year you collected. Add any other notes of interest to the envelope.

Label envelope BEFORE you fill it, or you will damage seeds that are inside.

There were times when I just folded the paper towel loaded with small seeds into the envelope. You decide how you want to do this. Remember never to store damp or wet seeds. They will get moldy and rot.

Do not try to speed up the drying process by placing in oven or dehydrator. This cooks or kills the center life source of the seed. Do it as nature would do it.

Air-dry and patience.

You will have a better germination rate if drying is done as close to being natural as possible.

Take all the labeled envelopes and place in shoe box and store in cool (not freezing) dry place until spring.