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Seed Saving: Why and HowJanet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak,
Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather
With the Master Gardener Class of 2017
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College ofAgriculture and Natural Resources
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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.
Please Silence Your Cell Phone
Thank you!
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Seed Saving - Outline Brief History in US 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
Colonial Era There were no seed saving companies!
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/american-farm-scenes-currier-and-ives.html
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History - US
Almost everyone grew plants for food Seeds were saved and exchanged with seeds
from Native Americans
http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/the-narragansett
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History - US1784David Landreth starts first seed company in Philadelphia
http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%201%20-%20The%20Commemorative%20Newsletter%20Series/Garlic.html
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History - US
1820David Landreth introduces the tomato to America
http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%204%20-%20Part%20IV%20The%20Period:%201820-1830/Garlic.ht
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History - US
1820 - 1850Local seed companies flourished
http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse
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History - US
1854 US PTO, Ag Division, developed a free
system for distributing seeds to farmers In 1861 2.4 M packets were distributed
http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse
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History - US1862-1924
President Abraham Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture in 1862
Under USDA management by 1897 1.1 B packets were being distributed each year – for free
https://www.etsy.com/market/heirloom_vegetable
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History - US1945Hybrid techniques led to growth of many regional seed companies
TodayCompany consolidations: 10 seed companies account for 65% of the global proprietary seed market.
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Why Save Seeds?
These?
OR
THESE!
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National and Global Seed Preservation
National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, USDA, Ft. Collins, CO maintains US seed collections
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norwayholds duplicate samples of seeds held in gene banks worldwide
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Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway
Carved into a mountain, temperature at -18° - 20° C
Unopened boxes of seeds, more than 880,000 unique types, 563,272,050 individual seeds, largest collection in the world
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Svalbard Global Seed Vault, NorwayVegetable Varieties Lost
Crop 1903 1983 Percent Lost
Beans 578 32 94.5Beets 288 17 94.1Carrot 287 21 92.7Lettuce 497 36 92.8Squash 341 40 88.3Tomato 408 79 80.6Peanut 31 2 93.5
“It is unlikely that such large percentages of crop varieties could be lost without the permanent loss of unique traits.” - Seeds on Ice, C. Fowler
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Engage in the Cycle of Life
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Moon and Stars Watermelon
almost lost!
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Cherokee Popcorn –decorative and delicious
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Pretzel Bean -nutty flavor!
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Preserve heirloom varieties
Mouse Melon –cucumber and fava bean taste
from our Derwood Demo Garden
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Preserve heirloom varieties
All Heirloom Tomatoes!
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Encourage genetic diversityThe 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
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
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Develop new varieties1. 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!!
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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”
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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 desirable 28
Better Boy
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What is Pollination?
The transfer of pollen from the anther(on stamen) to the stigma
Self pollination Cross pollination
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Anther: creates pollen
Understanding Pollination
Pollination impacts seed quantity and quality
Optimum conditions for successful pollination are not the same for all plants
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Pollination Challenges 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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Additional Pollination Terms Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen
transferred “naturally” by Wind, insects, birds 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
Pollination Control TechniquesIf your plant requires wind, insects, or birds
for pollination you can use:
Physical distance separation Growing only one variety for saving &
exchanging seeds with other Master Gardeners
Bagging & hand pollinating Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating
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Calendula
Saving Flower Seeds
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Harvesting Flower Seeds
Do not deadhead! Wait for petals to
fall off Seed head or pod
will be exposed
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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
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Saving Flower Seeds
Celosia or Cockscomb Flower
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Cleaning Dry SeedsSeparate seed from chaff by:
Winnowing in a gentle wind
Using two screens of varying mesh size
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Cleaning Celosia Seeds
Celosia flower head
Seeds and chaff
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Cleaning Celosia SeedsSeeds and chaff on screen
Only the seeds fall through screen onto paper
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Saving Vegetable Seeds
Legume seeds
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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
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Cleaning Vegetable SeedsTwo types: dry seeds & wet seeds
DRY
BeanBroccoliChiliesCornEggplantLettucePepper
WET
BerriesCucumber
Malabar spinachMelonPumpkinSquashTomato
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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.
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Cleaning Tomato SeedsPut 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 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
Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds 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
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Drying tomato seeds
See the LABEL!!
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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!
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Always LABEL Your Seeds Seed type and date collected Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)
Seeds may look alike
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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)
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Seed Storage: Dry or MoistDesiccation 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
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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 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
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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!
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!)
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Problems With Stored Seeds 1 Temperature variation Moisture fluctuation
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 Use desiccant in future!
Problems With Stored Seeds 2 Insects Freezing is safest Add diatomaceous earth (DE)
Animal pests (use tightly closed containers)
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How Long Will My Seeds Last?It depends… Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, 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, lettuce , 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°
Count at day 6: 23/25 = 92% GR
Check daily: 1st count – day 7 2nd count – day 14
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Where to Find Heirloom Seeds Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington Gardener
Magazine Seed Exchange; Master Gardeners) Your own seed circle of Master Gardener members Seed Savers Exchange – www.seedsavers.org Southern Exposure Seed Exchange -
www.southernexposure.com/ Seeds of Change - www.seedsofchange.com Territorial Seed Company www.territorialseed.com/
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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
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Final Thoughts: 1
Check references to see how your seeds should be saved
To be sure your seeds breed true use open pollinated or heirloom varieties
Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant For cross pollinating plants grow one variety and
share with other seed savers!
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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
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Final Thoughts: 3
Remember to always LABEL your seed rows, drying plates, and seed containers
As Master Gardeners we can encourage and educate other gardeners about the Why and How of seed saving
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Benefits of Saving Seeds Engage in the cycle of life Preserve heirloom varieties Encourage genetic diversity Develop new varieties Save money
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Digging Deeper Exploring the science behind
gardening All topics welcome Not just for scientists - any
MG welcome A fun relaxing discussion about all those gardening
questions you always wanted to ask Join the Google group for access to articles and
discussion. Contact Janet - [email protected]
Ref - UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin #2750 KM
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Master Gardeners Encourage Seed Saving!
Montgomery County Fair – MG Demo Garden – August 2011
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This program was brought to you by The Master Gardener Program of
Montgomery CountyUniversity of Maryland Extension
