Saving your own heirloom or heritage vegetable seeds is surprisingly easy once you know how.
The key is to remember that you can only save seeds from open-pollinated heirloom varieties, not F1 hybrids. This is because F1 hybrids won’t grow true to type. This means that the seeds you save, and plant may produce inferior or completely different crops or may even be sterile.
Keep in mind that some plants can cross-pollinate, resulting in seeds that grow into plants different to their parents. This is particularly common in crops like corn, cucurbits (zucchini and pumpkin) and brassicas. To prevent cross-pollination, you may need to isolate each variety during flowering.
There are many great reasons to save your own seeds:
- It is cost-saving and can be profitable.
- These seeds have adapted and acclimatised to your specific microclimate zone.
- It helps perpetuate rare plant varieties, maintaining biodiversity and preserving these unique varieties.
- Careful seed selection can result in stronger and healthier plants.
- It is a valuable skill to develop and pass on to others.
- Sharing seeds is fun and helps foster a sense of community.
Seed saving 101
There are three main types of seeds found in edible gardens:
- Seeds in pods (e.g., peas, beans, okra)
- Seeds in flower heads (e.g., parsley, fennel, basil)
- Seeds in fleshy fruits (e.g., tomatoes, melons, eggplants)
a. Collecting seeds from pods
Harvest seeds when the pods are brown, full, and dry. Snip off the pod, open it to check the seeds are undamaged, then store them in a bag.
b. Collecting seeds from dry flower heads
Harvest seeds before they fully ripen to prevent them from dropping. Pick them when the flower head is brown but not overly ripe. You can either:
- Tie a bag around the seed head to catch the seeds as they dry.
- Pick the head and store it in a paper bag (not plastic as it can cause sweating and mold).
Alternatively, wait until the seeds are fully ripe, collect them, and broadcast them around your garden for the next season.
c. Collecting seed from fleshy fruits
Choose fruits with good colour and ripeness. Cut the fruit open, scoop out the seeds, and rinse them thoroughly in a sieve to remove any flesh. Lay the seeds on kitchen paper and allow them to dry completely
Storing your seeds
Store seeds in packets or airtight containers placed in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a cupboard or the crisper drawer of your fridge. Label each packet with the variety name and date saved. To keep seeds dry, add a small amount of raw rice to the container.
When it’s time to sow your seeds, Rocky Point has you covered with their Seed & Cutting Mix. This mix is specially formulated to provide your seeds with the perfect start for healthy growth.
