How to Save Garden Seeds

Fall has arrived, but it may not be too late to save seeds from your favorite flower.

 

A good challenge for any gardener is to learn how to harvest and save seed.

If you find the perfect tasting tomato, harvesting and saving the seed will ensure you can have that tomato again next season. The seed stores the genetic information for a new plant. With a bit of practice and patience, you can have the seeds of your favorite vegetables ready for next year’s garden.

Provide care for plants

Starting with good seed gives your plants a good start. Avoid stressing plants by planting in good soil, proper watering, and reducing pest problems.

Select seeds from the plants that are healthy and thriving in your garden. Look for plants that have the healthiest plants, best fruit, or prettiest flowers. 

Save Your Seeds

It’s the end of your gardening season, and your plants are going to seed. What should you do? You have two choices:

The first is allowing the plants to complete their cycle and treat them according to what type of plant they are in your planting zone.

Your second option is allowing the plant to go to seed and harvest the seeds prior to closing the growing space down for the season.

Harvest seeds

Some plants have different seed harvesting methods, but in general, you’ll wait until you see the seeds forming on the plant.

Harvesting seed at the right time is essential. When the fruit is perfect for eating, the seed may still be too immature to be able to be viable. Mature seed is usually plump and heavy for its size. Flat, green seed is usually still too immature to germinate.

Dry fruits such as beans, peas, grain, and lettuces are simple to harvest. Collect the seed pods when they have dried, and the seed is mature. Keep in mind that seed pods can break open, causing seed to be lost.

Wet fruit such as tomatoes, peppers, and melons take a little more work. The seeds mature after the fruit is harvested for eating. Leave a few fruits on the plant to let the seeds ripen in the fruit. When the seeds are ready, the fruit will be sour or fermenting, making it unsuitable for eating.

Clean and dry seeds

Removing the seeds from all other materials is important for getting the seeds ready for storage. Seeds are usually heavier than the other plant material, so screens, a light breeze, or putting the material on an incline can separate the seeds from the rest of the material. 

Remove seeds from wet fruits by removing the seeds and rinsing them with cool water until clean.

Package and store seeds

Seeds should be kept in a cool, dry location. In a humid climate, glass jars or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid are an excellent way to store seeds. Some people store their seeds in paper envelopes, plastic freezer bags, or glass jars with a lid. It’s also common to store seeds in the refrigerator or freezer. Remember to label the containers to avoid mix-ups.

The main goal is ensuring the seeds are harvested and dried prior to storage.

Photo:  Pixabay.