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The Seed Saver's Guide
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The Seed Saver's Guide

Highlight Article from Hillsider Fall '23 Edition

Getting Started with Seed Saving and Recommended Starter Plants for Beginners

If you’re anything like me and have a continued desire to learn and a deep fascination with gardening and growing, then chances are you’re likely just as intrigued as I am about seed saving and all it entails. Seed saving is a rewarding and sustainable practice that allows you to preserve heirloom varieties, save money, and become more self-sufficient in your gardening endeavors. Together, let’s go over the basics of seed saving to help you get started:

Choose Open-Pollinated or Heirloom Varieties:

Open-pollinated varieties are plants that will produce offspring with similar traits as the parent plant. Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated plants that have been passed down through generations. It is important to select open-pollinated or heirloom plants for seed saving, as hybrid plants, may not produce offspring with the same desirable characteristics.

Start with Easy Plants:

When starting your seed-saving journey, it's advisable to choose plants that are easy to save seeds from. Self-pollinating plants, such as tomatoes, beans, peas, and lettuce, are good choices for beginners, as they have a lower risk of cross-pollination.

Allow Seeds to Mature:

To save seeds, you need to let the plant go through its full life cycle until the seeds are fully mature. This means allowing the fruits or vegetables to ripen and the seeds to develop fully. For example, with tomatoes, you would wait until the fruit is overripe and the seeds are fully formed and ready for extraction.

Harvesting Seeds:

Once the seeds are mature, it's time to harvest them. Different plants have different methods of seed extraction. For larger seeds, such as beans or peas, simply open the pod and remove the seeds. For smaller seeds, like lettuce or tomatoes, you may need to squeeze or scrape the seeds out of the fruit. Remove any debris or pulp from the seeds and allow them to dry completely.

Drying and Storing Seeds:

Drying the seeds thoroughly is crucial for long-term viability. Spread the seeds out on a clean, dry surface, such as a tray or a paper towel, and allow them to air dry for at least a week or until they are completely dry. Once dry, store the seeds in airtight containers, such as glass jars or seed envelopes, and label them with the plant name and the date of harvest. Store the containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Maintaining Genetic Purity:

To maintain the desired traits of your saved seeds, it's important to prevent cross-pollination between different varieties of the same plant. This can be achieved by isolating different varieties by distance or using barriers, such as bags or nets, to prevent pollen transfer. Research the specific isolation requirements for each plant you are saving seeds from to ensure genetic purity

Record Keeping:

Keeping records of your seed-saving activities is essential for tracking the characteristics and performance of each variety. Record important details such as the plant variety, date of planting, date of harvest, and any observations or notes about the plant's growth and performance. These records will help you improve your seed-saving techniques and select the best seeds for future plantings.

Now let’s explore 10 flower seeds and 10 vegetable seeds that you can save from your garden, allowing you to cultivate a diverse and sustainable garden for seasons to come.

Flower Seeds:

Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.):

Sunflowers bring joy with their bright, cheerful blooms. To save the seeds, allow the flower heads to mature and dry on the plant until the back of the head turns brown. Cut the head off and hang it upside down in a cool, dry place. Once the seeds are dry, gently rub them off the head and store them in a labeled envelope or jar.

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.):

Marigolds are known for their vibrant colors and pest-repellent properties. To save the seeds, leave the spent flowers on the plant until they dry up and form seed heads. Once the seed heads are completely dry, gently break them open to collect the small, dark seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Cosmos (Cosmos spp.):

Cosmos flowers grace gardens with their delicate, daisy-like blossoms. Allow the spent flowers to fade and dry on the plant. Once dry, the seed heads will open and reveal the small, light-colored seeds. Collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place for future planting.

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.):

Zinnias are beloved for their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. Allow a few zinnia flowers to wither on the plant until they turn brown and dry. The seed heads will develop at the base of the flower. Harvest the seed heads and let them further dry indoors. Once dry, extract the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.

Larkspur (Delphinium spp.):

Larkspur produces tall, spiky flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white. Leave a few flowers on the plant until they start to dry out and develop seed pods. Once the pods turn brown, collect them and store them in a cool, dry place. Before planting, scarify the seeds by rubbing them lightly with sandpaper.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum spp.):

Nasturtiums offer vibrant, edible flowers and attractive foliage. After the flowers have faded, seed pods will form at the base of the flower. Allow the pods to dry on the plant until they turn brown and begin to split. Collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.

Poppies (Papaver spp.):

Poppies enchant with their delicate, papery blooms in various shades. Once the petals have fallen, a seed capsule will form. Allow the capsule to dry on the plant until it turns brown and starts to rattle. Harvest the capsule, open it, and collect the small, kidney shaped seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.):

Black-eyed Susans brighten up gardens with their golden-yellow petals and dark centers. Allow the flowers to fade and dry on the plant until seed heads form. The seed heads will turn dark brown, resembling a cone. Collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus):

Sweet peas delight with their fragrant, colorful blossoms. Allow the flowers to fade and dry on the plant, allowing the seed pods to develop. Once the pods turn brown and start to rattle, harvest them and store the seeds in a cool, dry place.

Hollyhocks (Alcea spp.):

Hollyhocks add height and elegance to gardens with their tall stalks and showy blooms. Leave a few spent flowers on the plant to dry and develop seed pods. Once the pods turn brown and start to split open, collect the small, round seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Vegetable Seeds:

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum):

Scoop out the seeds from ripe tomatoes, rinse them, and dry them on a paper towel. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Peppers (Capsicum spp.):

Allow ripe peppers to fully mature on the plant before harvesting the seeds. Rinse and dry them thoroughly, then store in a cool, dry place.

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris):

Let the beans on the plant dry completely, then shell them and collect the seeds.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa):

Allow a few lettuce plants to bolt and produce flowers. Once the flowers have matured and developed fluffy seed heads, carefully shake or collect the seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus):

Leave a few cucumbers on the vine until they become overripe and yellow. Cut them open, scoop out the seeds, rinse them, and dry them thoroughly before storing in a cool, dry place.

Carrots (Daucus carota):

Allow a few carrot plants to flower and produce seed heads. Once the seed heads have dried on the plant, collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.

Radishes (Raphanus sativus):

Let a few radish plants bolt and produce seed pods. Once the pods have dried on the plant, collect them and break them open to extract the small seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Kale (Brassica oleracea):

Allow a few kale plants to flower and produce seed pods. Once the pods have dried and turned brown, collectthem and extractthe seeds. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Peas (Pisum sativum):

Allow a few pea pods to dry completely on the plant until they turn brown and rattle. Collectthe pods, shellthem, and store the seeds in a cool, dry place.

Squash (Cucurbita spp.):

Select a mature squash from the vine and allow itto fully ripen. Cutit open, scoop out the seeds, rinse them, and dry them thoroughly before storing in a cool, dry place.

Saving seeds from our favorite flowers and vegetables not only allows us to maintain a connection with our garden but also promotes sustainability and self-sufficiency. By following the proper techniques for seed collection and storage, we can ensure the continued beauty of our flower beds and the abundance of our vegetable patches. So, as you tend to your garden, consider saving seeds from these 10 flowers and 10 vegetables, and watch your garden flourish year after year.

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