As the growing season winds down, it’s time to start planning for next year’s garden –by saving seeds. Lets face it, buying plants every year can get expensive, so why not grow some of your own? Saving seeds is a great way to save money and to keep your favorite plants growing for years to come. Seed saving also helps preserve heirloom variety plants so they aren’t lost over time. There are several plants that are easy to collect seeds from and that have a low risk for cross-pollination, making them perfect for beginner seed collectors.
| Plants | How to Save Seeds | Storage (years) |
| Tomatoes | Let ripen on the vine until dark. Scoop out seeds and leave in water for 2-3 days. Place them on a paper towel and let dry. | 4-6 |
| Peppers | Allow them to ripen on the plant until they change color (orange, red, yellow, purple). Scoop out the seeds and dry. | 2-4 |
| Beans/Peas | Let them hang until brown and dry. Shell out the seeds and dry. | 3-4 |
| Lettuce | Let the plant bolt and flower. Collect the seeds from the fluffy heads when they turn brown. | 2-3 |
| Cilantro | Let the plant flower. Harvest the seeds when they are brown and dry. (Seeds are coriander) | 4 |
| Basil | Allow the plant to bolt and flower, then strip the seeds from the dry heads. | 4-5 |
These are some of the easier plants to collect seeds from, especially if you are new to seed saving. Other plants like squash, zucchini, corn, and pumpkins can also be collected, however they are more prone to cross-pollination and require special handling to get an exact copy of the parent plant.
Do you have a space in your garden where you want to plant flowers? Save time and money by planting seeds from flowers you already have in the yard. You can start seeds indoors and transplant them, or you can plant them directly in your garden after the last frost. Here are some flower seeds that are easy to collect:
Marigolds – Let the heads dry and pull them apart to collect seeds inside.
Zinnias – Allow flowers to dry and pull the petals where seeds are hidden at the base.
Sunflowers – Dry the heads completely and remove the large seeds.
Cosmos – When the blooms dry, they will drop long thin seeds.
Coneflower – Let the heads dry and then break them apart to remove seeds.
Nasturtium – Let pods dry until they are hard, remove and dry seeds.
Calendula – Allow the petals to fall, the crescent shaped seeds will dry on the plant.
Snapdragon – Let the pods turn brown, then dry and shake out seeds.
Make sure to collect seeds from strong, healthy plants with no diseases. After collecting seeds, make sure they are completely dry prior to storing. Place them in envelopes or jars in a cool, dry place. You can also keep them in the freezer for longer storage time. Don’t forget to label your containers!
If you save more seeds than you think you need, please consider donating them to our local Seed Library. To donate, place dry seeds in a labeled envelope or Ziplock and drop them off at Blue Ridge Regional Library. Feel free to “check out” some new seed packets to plant while you’re there. Saving seeds allows you to save money and feed your family. Sharing those seeds allows you to help keep your community fed and growing as well!
Don’t forget to check out our upcoming events:
“Starting a Pollinator Garden” – August 23 at Providence United Methodist Church in Patrick Springs
Seed Saving Demonstration – August 29 at Stuart Farmer’s Market by PC EMGs
Visit the Patrick County Master Gardeners’ page on Facebook for more information about upcoming events!.
