How To Save Seeds

Saving seeds allows you to regrow your favorite plants, adapt plants to your local climate, and reduce gardening costs. This will contribute to biodiversity and make your gardening experience miles more enjoyable. Read the guide below to learn how to save dry and wet seeds, how to properly store seeds, and how to address challenges you might face along the way. 

Understanding Seed Saving Basics

To properly save seeds, you must understand the basics of plant genetics. Read more about why saving seeds is important and some legal considerations you should keep in mind below. 

Why Save Seeds?

Saving seeds has many benefits for home gardeners. Below are some reasons you should start saving seeds:

• Adaptation to local conditions: Plants that you grow from saved seeds adapt better to your specific growing conditions over generations.
• Cost-effectiveness: You can significantly reduce your gardening expenses by saving your own seeds.
• Educational value: Saving seeds teaches you about plant life cycles and genetics, and deepens your gardening knowledge.
• Preservation of heirloom varieties: Many unique plant varieties are not commercially available. Saving seeds helps preserve these rare and valuable plants.
• Self-sufficiency: Saving seeds increases your gardening independence and reduces reliance on commercial seed sources.

Legal Considerations for Seed Saving

Home gardeners who save seeds should be aware of the legal variables below. 

• Patent protection: Some plant varieties, such as hybrids and genetically modified organisms, are patented. You cannot legally save or share them. 
• Seed contracts: If you’ve signed an agreement when you purchased certain seeds, you may not have the right to save and replant them.
• Seed libraries and exchanges: Participating in seed libraries or exchanges may have specific rules or guidelines that you must follow.

Always research the specific varieties of seeds you’re growing to make sure you’re not infringing on any legal protections. Saving open-pollinated or heirloom varieties shouldn’t be an issue for home gardeners.

Essential Tools for Seed Saving

Gather the basic tools below to successfully save seeds:

• Airtight containers or jars for long-term storage
• Clean, dry containers for collecting seeds
• Fine mesh strainers or colanders for cleaning seeds
• Labels and markers for proper identification
• Paper bags or envelopes for drying seeds
• Silica gel packets to control moisture 
• Window screens for drying wet seeds

Identifying the Right Time To Harvest Seeds

You must know when to harvest seeds to successfully save them. The timing differs depending on whether you’re dealing with dry or wet seeds.

For Dry Seeds

Dry seeds, such as those from flowers, herbs, and some vegetables, are ready for harvest when the seeds’ heads have dried on the plant. Look for these signs:

• Seed pods or heads have turned brown and feel dry to the touch
• Seeds rattle inside their pods when you shake them
• The plant has completed its life cycle and is beginning to die back

For Wet Seeds

You can find wet seeds in the flesh of fruits and vegetables. Harvest them by following the tips below.

• Allow the fruit to fully ripen on the plant. This usually takes a few weeks past the typical harvest time.
• The fruit should be slightly overripe but not rotten.
• The seeds inside should be fully developed and firm.

Step-by-Step Process for Saving Dry Seeds

Follow the steps below to properly save dry seeds: 

Harvesting Dry Seeds

1. Wait for the seeds’ heads to dry completely on the plant.
2. Clip off the seeds’ heads or pods before they scatter on a dry day.
3. Place the material you harvest in a paper bag or on a tray in a warm, dry place.

Cleaning Dry Seeds

1. Once the seeds’ heads are fully dry, gently break them open to release the seeds.
2. If you’re dealing with large seeds, such as sunflowers, separate them from the chaff by hand.
3. If you’re dealing with smaller seeds, use a kitchen strainer to separate seeds from debris.
4. Consider using the wind-winnowing method, which involves passing heavy seeds between two cups in front of a fan. The breeze will blow away light debris.

Drying and Storing Dry Seeds

1. Spread the seeds you’ve cleaned on a window screen or paper towel in a single layer.
2. Allow the seeds to cure for about a week in a warm, dry place that’s out of direct sunlight.
3. Once the seeds are fully dry, store them in paper envelopes or airtight containers.
4. Label each container with the plant name, variety, and date of collection.
5. Store in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant.

Step-by-Step Process for Saving Wet Seeds

Saving wet seeds involves a few more steps than saving dry seeds. Follow the steps below. 

Harvesting Wet Seeds

1. Choose fruits that are fully ripe or slightly overripe.
2. Cut the fruit open and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
3. Place the seeds and pulp in a clean container.

Cleaning Wet Seeds

1. Add room temperature water to the container with the seeds and pulp.
2. Gently mix the seeds and pulp into the water.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for about 3 days, and stir daily.
4. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, while pulp and non-viable seeds will float.

Fermenting Wet Seeds

Fermenting is an important step for some wet seeds, particularly tomatoes. Follow the steps below.

1. After the mixture has soaked for 3 days, pour off the floating material and any mold that has formed on top.
2. Rinse the remaining seeds in a fine-mesh strainer under running water.
3. Rub the seeds gently against the strainer to remove any remaining pulp or gel coating.

Drying and Storing Wet Seeds

1. Spread the seeds you’ve cleaned on a window screen or paper towel in a single layer.
2. Allow the seeds to dry for about two weeks. Stir occasionally so that everything dries evenly.
3. Once the seeds are dry, store them in paper envelopes or airtight containers.
4. Label each container with the corresponding plant name, variety, and date of collection.
5. Store in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant.

Best Practices for Long-Term Seed Storage

You must store your seeds properly to keep them viable. Follow the practices below to make sure you can use your seeds across future planting seasons: 

Proper Packaging Methods

Choose one of the packaging methods below to protect your seeds:

• Airtight containers: Best for long-term storage, especially in humid climates
• Glass jars: Control moisture well, especially when you pair them with silica gel packets
• Paper envelopes: Ideal for short-term storage and allow for proper air circulation

Always label your containers clearly with the corresponding plant names, variety, and date of collection.

Ideal Storage Conditions

Extend the lives of your seeds by keeping the following variables in mind: 

• Consistency: Prevent fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Humidity: Keep seeds dry. Aim for a relative humidity that’s below 50%.
• Light: Store seeds in a dark place to prevent premature germination.
• Temperature: Store seeds in a cool place that’s between 32 degrees and 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Testing Seed Viability

Follow the steps below to test the viability of your seeds: 

1. Prepare a testing area: Place a few seeds on a damp paper towel.
2. Cover the seeds: Fold the paper towel over the seeds and place it inside a plastic bag so that it can retain moisture.
3. Monitor growth: Examine the seeds daily and keep the towel damp. You should see germination within a week.

Common Challenges in Seed Saving and How To Overcome Them

There are certain challenges associated with saving seeds you may encounter. Read how to confront some common ones below:

• Cross-pollination: Isolate plants or use physical barriers to maintain pure varieties.
• Improper drying: Make sure seeds are completely dry before you store them to prevent mold.
• Mislabeling: Develop a consistent labeling system to avoid mix-ups.
• Pest and disease: Only save seeds from healthy plants to avoid perpetuating problems.
• Viability loss: Test seed viability regularly and replace old seeds as needed.