Most serious gardeners save seeds. It's easy, it's practical, and it will save you some money. Here are a few saving tips:
Packaged
Packaged seeds should be saved in their original packages. Simply fold the top or use a little bit of tape to secure the seeds in the packet. If the outer packet included an inner foil packet, store any leftovers in the foil packet.
Packaged seeds should be saved in their original packages. Simply fold the top or use a little bit of tape to secure the seeds in the packet. If the outer packet included an inner foil packet, store any leftovers in the foil packet.
Some seeds are considerably more sensitive to moisture in the air... so, if the seed company took the time to wrap them in foil packets, you should, too.
The best place to store your packets is in a large jar or coffee can in the refrigerator. Keep them cool and dry, and most will last many seasons. Remember that seeds are food, and improper storage will invite all kinds of pests to your basement or pantry.
Home Harvested
You can harvest and save from open-pollinated cultivars; but, you can't save the seeds from hybrids. (Well, you can save from hybrids, but they won't produce the same hybrid plant from which they came... you'll usually get one of the parent varieties used to make the hybrid.)
You can harvest and save from open-pollinated cultivars; but, you can't save the seeds from hybrids. (Well, you can save from hybrids, but they won't produce the same hybrid plant from which they came... you'll usually get one of the parent varieties used to make the hybrid.)
Those harvested from open-pollinated varieties of flowers and vegetables can be harvested when the fruits or flowers are mature, or even beyond maturity. They should be relatively dry and free from as much plant "litter" as possible. You can rinse tomato and pepper seeds in a colander and dry them for a day or two on paper towels or cookie sheets. Those from beans and most flowers don't need much special treatment before packaging them.
Package in paper envelopes, being careful to label the envelopes to identify the contents as well as the year of harvest.
Flowers that readily self-seed as annuals, such as plume celosia, are ideal candidates for saving. Simply shake the dried flower heads in a large envelope or can and you'll collect hundreds, if not thousands, that can be used in your gardens or shared with friends.
As with commercially packaged seeds, home packaged should be stored in a cool, dry place that is free from insects or rodents. A coffee can in the refrigerator is ideal.
Checking Germination
You cannot determine if a seed will germinate by looking at it. There are two ways for home gardeners to check the germination. (Germination means that they'll sprout and grow; the germination percentage is simply the percentage that are viable.)
You cannot determine if a seed will germinate by looking at it. There are two ways for home gardeners to check the germination. (Germination means that they'll sprout and grow; the germination percentage is simply the percentage that are viable.)
1. Simply place one or two seeds in each cell of a six pack starter cell pack, and see how many germinate. Or,
2. Place 10 to 20 seeds between two or more moist paper towels, and see how many germinate. The paper towel method is used by virtually all laboratories; but, care must be taken to keep the towels moist and warm. You can use a large plastic bag or cellophane to help keep the towels moist.
2. Place 10 to 20 seeds between two or more moist paper towels, and see how many germinate. The paper towel method is used by virtually all laboratories; but, care must be taken to keep the towels moist and warm. You can use a large plastic bag or cellophane to help keep the towels moist.
Check germination several weeks prior to the time that you'll need to start so that you can replace any cultivars that have very low or zero germination.
Breeding by Selection - Ultimate Seed Saving
Some people save seeds in the quest to isolate new cultivars. By saving from a flower or fruit that has a specific characteristic (a nearly white marigold or a particularly big pumpkin) you may be able to produce your own crop that reproduces flowers or vegetables with the desired trait. This is the breeding technique known as "selection." The first (nearly) white marigold was produced by a home gardener who saved seeds from the most pale yellow marigolds in her gardens over several generations... constantly striving for the palest yellow... that was nearly white.
Some people save seeds in the quest to isolate new cultivars. By saving from a flower or fruit that has a specific characteristic (a nearly white marigold or a particularly big pumpkin) you may be able to produce your own crop that reproduces flowers or vegetables with the desired trait. This is the breeding technique known as "selection." The first (nearly) white marigold was produced by a home gardener who saved seeds from the most pale yellow marigolds in her gardens over several generations... constantly striving for the palest yellow... that was nearly white.
Writer for Mantis and Mantis Owners.
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