The JOY of Seed Saving

(Continued from October's Issue of Grow Food Network Magazine)

Dan Jason from Salt Spring Seeds says,
 "Saving Seeds is easy and very rewarding.  Don't be intimidated by any rules you might read or hear about.  You can learn as go!"

These are the basics to Saving Seeds:

• How to Harvest Seeds
• Where to Store Seeds
• When to Save Seeds
• What Seeds to Save

How To Harvest Seeds:
Allow the plant to go through it's full cycle producing seeds on the plant and if possible drying on the plant, as well.  However, often in wet climates it may be necessary to allow seeds to be dried indoors on screens or newspaper.  The seeds should have a hard coating that a fingernail can not dent.  Seeds can be collected in paper bags, labelled and stored indoors until they can be cleaned and stored in glass jars, vitamin bottles, plastic bags etc.  Laying down cloth or cardboard under plants can be helpful when harvesting seeds.

Where To Store Seeds:
Seeds should be stored in dark, air tight containers, in unheated areas where minimum fluctuations occur.  One of GROW FOOD subscribers stores her seed in the freezer labelled by the month they are planted in. 

When To Save Seeds:
Seeds are ready to be picked when they have changed colour and texture.  Pods should be light brown before harvesting.  Save the best seed for the best results.

What Seeds To Save:
Start small.  Save a few varieties each year and increase as you go.  Save the seeds from the foods you eat most often.

SAVING SEED CONSIDERATIONS

• Consider the nutrition value of the foods you grow.  eg: Fava Beans and Grains
• Consider foods that can be eatten year round. eg. Dried Beans and Grains, chickpeas, lentils, and tomatoes for paste
• Buy open-pollinated seeds to make it easier for knowing which seeds you can collect.
• With climate conditions constantly changing, it's crucial to keep growing out your seed so they can continue to adapt to the changes.

SAVING TOMATO SEEDS

Soak tomato seeds in water for 3 days to ferment.  Viable seeds will go to the bottom.  The floating pulp and seeds can be poured off and seeds can be poured onto a screen to dry.


SELF POLLINATORS
(means you don't have to worry about crossing because the flowers are self pollinating and seeds will come true)
They include: beans, grains, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce

CROSSERS
(means the plants will cross pollinate by wind or bees, even a neighbour growing the same variety can cross with yours)
They include: corn, carrots, beets, squash, leeks, brassicas.
Perennial crossers include: potatoes, garlic, jerusalem artichokes

Hope this helps!