Seed Saving: Why and How
Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak, Katie
McIe, and Donna Starkweather
College of
Agriculture and
Natural Resources
Our Vision:
A healthier world through
environmental
stewardship.
Our Mission:
To support the University
of Maryland Extension
mission by educating
residents about safe,
effective & sustainable
horticultural practices
that build healthy
gardens, landscapes, &
communities.
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Seed Saving - Outline
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History/Why save seeds?
Types of seeds
Pollination challenges
Steps to harvest, clean, and store
flower and vegetable seeds
 Longevity of saved seeds
 Resources, final thoughts
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History - US
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150 years ago - no seed saving companies!
1854 - farmer (or gardener) exchange, onfarm seed saving, and US PTO
1897-1924 – under USDA management 1.1 B
packets distributed each year
1866 – first commercial seed produced,
cabbage, Long Island NY
1945 – hybrid techniques led to growth of
regional seed companies
Today – company consolidations: 10 seed
companies account for 67% of the global
proprietary seed market.
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Benefits of Saving Seeds
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Engage in the cycle of life
Preserve heirloom varieties
Encourage genetic diversity
Save money
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Engage in the Cycle of Life
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Pretzel Bean nutty flavor!
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Preserve heirloom varieties
from our
Derwood
Demo
Garden
Mouse Melon –
cucumber and
fava bean taste
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Preserve heirloom varieties
All Heirloom Tomatoes!
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Encourage genetic diversity
The total number of genetic characteristics
in the genetic makeup of a species.
More variation → greater adaptability
Selective breeding → monoculture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat.gif
Irish Potato Famine 1845
Entire crop cloned from one potato
“Lumper” variety susceptible to
Phytophthora infestans
Almost entire crop destroyed; 1M
people starved to death
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Famine_memorial_dublin.jpg
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Save money !
Perhaps the most attractive of all!
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Types of Seeds :
Can I save all seeds?
Heirloom: Good for seed saving
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Cherokee Purple
Open-pollinated seed varieties
Over 50 years old
Not the vegetables you usually see in grocery
Some stores carry seeds & vegetables that are
specifically labeled “heirloom”
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Can I save all seeds?
Hybrid: Not reliable for saving
Better Boy
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Bred for specific characteristics by crossing
two varieties
Seeds germinate, but do not breed true to
parents
Seeds from hybrids may produce plants
whose taste, color, size, etc., may not be
desirable
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What is Pollination?
The transfer of pollen from the anther
(on stamen) to the stigma
Anther:
creates
pollen
Self pollination
Cross pollination
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Understanding Pollination
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Pollination impacts seed quantity and
quality
Optimum conditions for successful
pollination are not the same for all plants
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Pollination Challenges
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Self pollination easiest: tomatoes, beans,
lettuce, peas
Cross pollination – by wind, bird, or insect
harder: squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers,
carrots, corn, radishes
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Pollination Control Techniques
If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds
for pollination you can use:
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Physical distance separation
Growing only one variety for saving &
exchanging seeds with other seed savers
Bagging & hand pollinating
Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating
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Saving Flower Seeds
Calendula
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Harvesting Flower Seeds
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Do not deadhead!
Wait for petals to
fall off
Seed head or pod
will be exposed
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Harvesting Flower Seeds
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Cut flower several
inches below seed
head
Dry seed head in
paper bag
Seeds will fall to the
bottom
Can take 1 to 4
weeks
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Saving Vegetable Seeds
Legume
seeds
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When to Harvest Veggie Seeds
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Ideal time to harvest varies from plant to
plant
Some seeds (e.g., melon) are ready to
harvest when fruit is ready to eat
Other seeds (e.g., squash and cukes) should
be left on vine after you would normally
eat them
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Cleaning Vegetable Seeds
Two types: dry seeds & wet seeds
DRY
Bean
Broccoli
Chilies
Corn
Eggplant
Lettuce
Pepper
WET
Berries
Cucumber
Malabar spinach
Melon
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
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Cleaning Dry Seeds
Separate seed from chaff by:
Using two screens of
varying mesh size
Winnowing in a gentle wind
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Cleaning Wet Vegetable Seeds
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Most seeds: Place in mesh strainer and gently
wash with water; pat underneath strainer with
towel
Some seeds: Must ferment first to remove
germination-inhibiting substances, e.g.,
tomato, Malabar spinach.
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Cleaning Tomato Seeds
Put seeds & pulp in bowl, add water
Let stand at
room temp
for 3-4 days;
stir a few
times a day
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Cleaning Tomato Seeds
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Pour off pulp & any dead seeds that float
Good seeds sink to bottom & can be washed
in a strainer
Pulp and dead seeds
Washed seeds
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Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds
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Pat bottom of strainer
with cloth towel
Let dry a few hours
Spread seeds on
plastic, glass or
ceramic plate to dry
(not paper or even
waxed paper): use a
non-sticking material
Drying tomato seeds
See the LABEL!!
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Seed Drying Requirements
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Spread seeds only 1 or 2 thick
Dry in an airy, dry location, such as an
air-conditioned room
Keep humidity between 20% to 40%
Takes 2 weeks or more
LABEL them!
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Always LABEL Your Seeds
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Seed type and date collected
Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)
Seeds may
look alike
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Seed Storage Containers
Place seeds in individual paper
envelopes, wax paper, or zip lock
bags.
Label with variety name,
collection date, even picture of
plant in bloom.
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Seed Storage Containers
Store seed packets in larger containers,
such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or
accordion folders by month to plant.
Home Made
Commercial
Zip lock bag
Ice Cream Jar
Spaghetti jar
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Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes
Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued.
Remember to always LABEL them!
http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/Envelope.htm
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Where to Store Seeds
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Good: Cool, dry, and dark place—closet or
cupboard
Better: Airtight containers in refrigerator
Best: Dry to 5 to 7% moisture content by
weight; store several degrees below
freezing (not many of us can be this
precise!)
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Problems With Stored Seeds 1
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Temperature variation
Moisture fluctuation
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If weather is humid when drying, put desiccant (silica
gel packet) in container with seeds, remove after 7 - 8
days
If after drying, see:
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Mold or mildew on seeds
Moisture on inside of storage container
Also use desiccant
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Problems With Stored Seeds 2
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Insects
Freezing is safest
 Add diatomaceous earth (DE)
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Animal pests
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(use tightly closed containers)
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How Long Will My Seeds Last?
It depends…
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Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber,
eggplant, lettuce, melon, radish, rutabaga,
spinach, squash, and turnip
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Medium lived (3-5 years - in general): Bean,
beet, broccoli, carrot, leek, pea, pepper,
pumpkin, and tomato
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Shorter lived (1-2 years - in general) : Corn,
onion, parsley, parsnip
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Germination Considerations
Germination rates
will always decline
over time
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How To Estimate Germination Rate
Place 25 seeds on
wet paper towel
Cover with wet
paper towel, roll
Place in plastic bag +
holes → 75°
Check daily:
1st count – day 7
2nd count – day 14
Count at day 6:
23/25 = 92% GR
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Where to Find Heirloom Seeds
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Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington
Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange; MGs)
Your own seed circle of neighbors, friends
Seed Savers Exchange – lists sources for openpollinated and heirloom seeds
Seeds Trust – online store for heirloom seeds
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Resources on Seed Saving
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Ashworth, Suzanne. Seed to Seed
Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starter’s Handbook
Deppe, Carol. Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties
Rogers, Marc. Saving Seeds
Turner, Carole. Seed Sowing and Saving
Rowe, Jack. http://howtosaveseeds.com - Vegetable Seed
Saving Handbook
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Final Thoughts: 1
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Check references to see how your seeds should be
saved
To be sure your seeds breed true use heirloom
varieties
Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant
For cross pollinating plants grow one variety and
share with other seed savers, (and libraries!)
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Final Thoughts: 2
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Select seeds from healthy and multiple plants, from
those producing the best vegetables and flowers
Learn to recognize plant diseases since some can
be transmitted in seeds
Learn what mature seeds look like for the plant
seeds you wish to harvest
Remember to always LABEL your seed rows,
drying plates, and seed containers
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Resources
Grow It! Eat It!
http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit
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and information. Check out our popular blog!
Home and Garden Information Center
http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic
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