1

Seed Saving: Why and How

Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak,

Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather

Please Silence Your Cell Phone

Thank you!

3

Seed Saving - Outline

� 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

4

History - US

� 150 years ago - no seed saving companies!

� 1854 - farmer (or gardener) exchange, on-farm 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.

5

Why Save Seeds?

These?

OR

THESE!

6

Engage

in the

cycle of

life

7

Preserve heirloom varieties

Moon and Stars

Watermelon

almost lost!

8

Preserve heirloom varieties

Cherokee Popcorn –

decorative and delicious

9

Preserve heirloom varieties

Pretzel Bean -

nutty flavor!

10

Preserve heirloom varieties

Mouse Melon –

cucumber and

fava bean taste

from our

Derwood

Demo

Garden

11

Preserve heirloom varieties

All Heirloom Tomatoes!

12

Encourage genetic diversity

The total number of genetic

characteristics in the genetic

makeup of a species.

Selective breeding → monoculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Famine_memorial_dublin.jpg

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

13

Develop new varieties

1. Selection - allow only plants that show desirable

traits – in your garden - to produce seeds.

But - plant some seeds of the original variety in with

your newly-selected seeds each season to maintain

some genetic diversity.

2. Cross pollination – allow two different hybrid

varieties to grow together and to naturally cross.

Allow to continue mixing, or

separate into groups based on

observed differences

Consult resources for details!!

14

Save money !

Perhaps the most attractive of all!

Types of Seeds :

Can I save all seeds?

Heirloom: Good for seed saving

� 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”

15

Cherokee Purple

Can I save all seeds?

Hybrid: Not reliable for saving

� 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

desirable16

Better Boy

Understanding Pollination

� Pollination impacts seed quantity and

quality

� Optimum conditions for successful

pollination are not the same for all plants

� Let’s start with the basics . . . .

17

18

What is Pollination?

The transfer of pollen from the anther

(on stamen) to the stigma

Self pollination Cross pollination

18

Anther:

creates

pollen

19

Additional Pollination Terms

� Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen

transferred “naturally” by

� Wind, insects, birds, or

� Pollen transferred directly to stigma within the

same flower (self pollination)

� Controlled pollination: Transfer of pollen

from one variety to another while excluding

all other pollen

20

Pollination Challenges

� Self pollinators easiest: tomatoes, beans,

lettuce, peas

� Wind, bird, and insect pollinators harder:

squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, carrots,

radishes

21

Pollination Control Techniques

If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds

for pollination you can use:

� Bagging & hand pollinating

� Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating

� Physical distance separation

� Growing only one variety for saving &

exchanging seeds with other seed savers

22

Calendula

Saving Flower Seeds

23

Harvesting Flower Seeds

� Do not deadhead!

� Wait for petals to

fall off

� Seed head or pod

will be exposed

24

Harvesting Flower Seeds

� 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

25

Saving Vegetable Seeds

Legume

seeds

26

When to Harvest Veggie Seeds

� 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

27

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

28

Cleaning Dry Vegetable Seeds

Separate seed from chaff by:

Winnowing in a gentle wind

Using two screens of varying mesh size

29

Cleaning Wet Vegetable Seeds

� 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.

30

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

31

Cleaning Tomato Seeds� 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

32

Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds

� Pat bottom of strainer

with cloth towel

� 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!!

33

Seed Drying Requirements

� 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!

34

Always LABEL Your Seeds

� Seed type and date collected

� Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)

� Seeds may

look alike

35

Seed Storage: Dry or Moist

� Seeds are either tolerant or intolerant of desiccation (drying)

� If desiccation intolerant (cannot survive drying):

� Large-seeded plants: ex. mango, avocado

� Don’t go dormant and need to breathe

� Must be stored moist

� Shorter shelf life (a few months)

36

Seed Storage: Dry or Moist

Desiccation Tolerant (survive drying)

�Most plant seeds

�While ripening & drying, seeds prepare for

dormancy by:

� Slowing physiological processes

� Converting sugars to fats and starches

�Can be safely stored for a longer time

�Most vegetable seeds

37

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.

38

Seed Storage ContainersStore seed packets in larger containers,

such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or

accordion folders by month to plant.

Home Made Commercial

Spaghetti jarIce Cream Jar

Zip lock bag

39

Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes

http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/Envelope.htm

Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued.

Remember to always LABEL them!

40

Where to Store Seeds

� 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!)

41

Problems With Stored Seeds 1

� Temperature variations

� Moisture fluctuations

� If weather is humid when drying, put desiccant (silica gel packet) in container with seeds, remove after 7 - 8 days

� If after drying, see:

� Mold or mildew on seeds

� Moisture on inside of storage container

� Also use desiccant

Problems With Stored Seeds 2� Insects

� Freezing is safest

� Add diatomaceous earth (DE)

� Animal pests

� (use tightly closed containers)

42

43

How Long Will My Seeds Last?

It depends…

� Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels

sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber,

eggplant, lettuce, melon, radish, rutabaga,

spinach, squash, and turnip

� Medium lived (3-5 years - in general): Bean,

beet, broccoli, carrot, leek, pea, pepper,

pumpkin, and tomato

� Shorter lived (1-2 years - in general) : Corn,

onion, parsley, parsnip

44

Germination Considerations

Germination rates

will always decline

over time

45

How To Estimate Germination Rate

Place 25 seeds on

wet paper towelCover with wet

paper towel, roll

Place in plastic bag +

holes → 75°

Count at day 6:

23/25 = 92% GR

Check daily:

1st count – day 7

2nd count – day 14

46

Where to Find Heirloom Seeds

� 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 open-

pollinated and heirloom seeds

� Seeds Trust – online store for heirloom seeds

47

Resources on Seed Saving

� 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

48

Some Final Thoughts: 1

� Not all seeds breed true, or will look exactly like the

parent – look for heirloom varieties

� Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant

� Check references to see how your seeds should be

saved

49

Some Final Thoughts: 2

� 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

50

Seed Saving Has National and

Global Importance

� National Center for Genetic

Resources Preservation,

USDA, Ft. Collins, CO – maintains seed

collections

� Svalbard Global

Seed Vault - Norway

51

Benefits of Saving Seeds

� Engage in the cycle of life

� Preserve heirloom varieties

� Encourage genetic diversity

� Develop new varieties

� Save money

52

Seed Saving for the Home Gardener

Montgomery County Fair – MG Demo Garden – August 2011

53

MG Seed Swap Again This Year!!

When: March 7 – after monthly MG meeting

Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds

Kinds of Seeds: Your own saved seeds, or

commercially purchased seeds

More Details: March issue

of The Seed, and email to

List serve. Email Janet with

questions.

http://extension.illinois.edu

This program was brought to you by

The Master Gardeners Program of

Montgomery County

University of Maryland Extension