Seed Saving at the End of the Season

Seed Saving at the End of the Season

In spirituality, seeds often act as potent vehicles for metaphor, signifying rebirth and resurrection. It is no wonder that movements that come from the ground up are likened to grassroots movements – the power derived from the people comes from simple, if not powerful origins. In the practical sphere, seeds serve as sustenance, but for certain indigenous cultures, they are more than that. For those peoples, seeds hold a spiritual essence that carries the legacy of their ancestors, and to tamper with them and use them for nefarious purposes could harm them at a deeper, spiritual level. 

Why Save Your Own Seeds?

Seed saving can seem like an antiquated process, harkening back to a time when man had to eke out a meager living along the fertile waters of the great rivers of the world. However, aside from the spiritual aspects, seed saving can be boon in a time of crisis, especially during a time when sustainability initiatives are becoming more and more important. 

In the age of genetically modified produce, seed saving is a time-honored tradition dedicated to preserving centuries-old strains of grains and heirloom varieties of food crops. For some, the prospect of nourishing a plant from seed holds a spark of excitement; for others, seed saving is a way to preserve cultures that are slowly fading from the world. Finally, for others, it is a way to combat the deluge of patented seeds that continue to dominate commercial farming operations – hybrids that have been bred to be grown just once. 

Regrowing the seeds of patented crops tends to result in inferior fruit. While the case of a catastrophic crop failure that will devastate the Western hemisphere sounds catastrophic, it’s true that patents designed to protect protections have resulted in an alarming gene uniformity. 

Whether as a way to retake control, counterbalance the mega-corps of the world, or diversify current offerings, many people are flocking to relearn the art of seed saving. Even if you aren’t trying to cultivate crops commercially, seed saving can be a fun and rewarding activity to learn. 

Only Save Heirloom Seeds

Only aim to save heirlooms – or in general, open-pollinated varieties – which grow true to seed. There is no need to save hybrids, as the new plant will often end up being a motley amalgamation of traits, awfully bland and diminished in quality. If the seed packet is labeled as F1-Hybrid, then that seed is not suitable for collecting.

Some gardeners will source seeds from the grocery store, including beans or potato tubers. While some have had success, more often than not, the seeds are hybrids, and it ends up being a genetic gamble. There’s also the chance that, in the case of potato tubers, that the chemicals that have been sprayed onto the potatoes can transfer during the growing process. You’re better off saving seeds from known heirlooms that produce a strong, viable crop. 

When procuring your seeds, it can be helpful to start with heirlooms in your garden that have already grown from seeds. Many heirloom seeds can be brought online at reputable sites. Otherwise, look to your local farmer’s market for heirloom varieties to purchase, often at a cheap cost.

Common vegetables to save seeds from:

• Tomatoes 
• Peppers
• Beans
• Peas 

Harvesting Seeds at the End of Summer

Different types of vegetables will entail different methods of seed preservation. Here’s an overview on the most common vegetables that are harvested for seeds by gardeners. 

Peas and Beans 

• Let the seeds dry on the pod, a process that begins when they start to brown and ends when they become desiccated. 
• Strip the seeds from the pods and store them. 
• Leave those that are not completely dry on a counter for a couple of days to dry. 

Tomatoes 

• Select a firm, full-colored fruit and slice in half. 

• Collect the seeds, which will have a protective gel covering them. 

• Scoop up seeds into small mason jars half-filled with water, shaking it once or twice a day.

• After a couple of days (no more than three), once the pulp has floated to the top, pour out the mixture and separate the seeds, then let them dry on paper towels.

Peppers

• Allow some fruits to shrivel up on the plant.
• Cut open peppers along the central stem and allow them to dry.
• When out in the field, a hori hori knife can aid in making precise cuts.

Pumpkin and Squash

• Leave them on the vine, until it is ripe and changes colors.

• Split the fruit in half.

• Extract the seeds from the pulp, wash, then leave them to dry. 

Tips on Seed Saving

• Collect seeds when flowers bolt: If your flowers have bolted (gone to seed), you can collect the seeds. Once the flowers have completely dried, gently shake off the seeds from the flowerheads. 
• Store in airtight containers: Store your seeds in envelopes, in an airtight container. Make sure to label with name, variety, and date of collection to keep track. An ingenious way to store your seeds is in a photo storage box. The sealed, airtight conditions of the box allow your seeds to remain viable for years to come, and the individual cases are perfect for labeling.
• Use desiccants to extend shelf life: The use of desiccant (drying agents) in storage containers can absorb excess moisture and prevent seed deterioration. Powdered milk or a tiny packet gel silica is recommended to preserve your seeds for longer. 

Seed Propagation

Once spring comes around, your seeds are ready to be planted. Begin propagating your seeds indoors in these specially designed seedling trays. Seeds will benefit from the spacious cells inlaid with air-pruning strips and the irrigation chambers on the lids that drip water gently into the trays. Learn more about the intricacies involved in seed starting, simplified with innovative tools to make gardening breeze, here and here.