Why bother saving seeds? Sometimes seeds are in short supply, or maybe you like a particular variety that is hard to find. Saving seed is easy and you will always have a supply of your favorite flower and vegetable varieties.
It is important to know that not all varieties are suitable for seed saving. If the variety you want to save is a hybrid, seeds from that plant will not reproduce identical offspring. To avoid this, choose heirloom varieties. Heirlooms will produce offspring that are identical to the parent.
Harvesting seeds
To harvest seeds, wait until the fruit is ripe and the seeds are mature. It's easy to know when tomatoes are ripe. But the fruits of some plants are enjoyed before they are fully ripe. For example, we eat cucumbers when they are green, but to harvest seeds, let them turn yellow. Most peppers tend to turn red when they are fully ripe. Be selective and save seeds from only the best plants or fruits.
For plants such as peas and beans, prepare the seeds for saving by separating the seeds from the plant and letting them dry. The best way to accomplish this is to dry seeds on small frames with a nylon mesh screen. The screen allows air to circulate freely around the seeds and keeps them from developing mold. Let the seeds sit in a cool, dry area for about one week before storing.
Some seeds require slightly more work. Tomatoes and cucumbers have wet seeds coated with a gel that prevents the seed from sprouting. Place the gel and seeds into a small jar about half full of water. Swish the seeds and water for a minute or two, then place the jar in a cool place to settle. Continue to shake the jar a few times a day for three to four days, then strain the solution through a fine mesh, leaving the seeds. Rinse away any remaining gel and dry the seeds on your mesh screen for at least one week.
Storing seeds
To store seeds after they are dry, put them in paper envelopes and label them. Plastic bags can trap moisture inside the bag, which can foster mold or even induce germination. In addition to labeling the seeds with the variety name, you may want to include any other information you have about the parent plant.
As you are wrapping up your summer garden, try saving a few seeds. You will save money, preserve your favorite heirloom varieties, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing plants entirely on your own.
Learn more about saving seeds.