University of Illinois Extension
Sow seeds of change, learn how to save garden seeds
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[February 28, 2023]
As gardeners dream of spring and flip through
catalogs looking for the best seeds, it makes you wonder where they
come from. Sure, seeds come from the fruit of a plant, but how does
it happen? A good challenge for any gardener is to learn how to
harvest and save seed. |
If
you find the perfect tasting tomato, harvesting and saving the seed
will ensure you can have that tomato again next season. The seed
stores the genetic information for a new plant. With a bit of
practice and patience, you can have the seeds of your favorite
vegetables ready for next year's garden.
Provide care for plants
Healthy plants produce the best seeds. Starting with good seed gives
your plants a good start. Avoid stressing plants by planting in good
soil, proper watering, and reducing pest problems.
Select seeds from the plants that are healthy and thriving in your
garden. Look for plants that have the healthiest plants, best fruit,
or prettiest flowers.
Annual, self-pollinated plants are great plants to get started
saving seeds. Some crops that fit that description are beans, peas,
lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. These plants produce seeds in one
season and don't require special isolation considerations. Another
benefit is that they need relatively few plants to produce seeds for
harvesting.
Harvest seeds
Harvesting seed at the right time is essential. When the fruit is
perfect for eating, the seed may still be too immature to be able to
be viable. Mature seed is usually plump and heavy for its size.
Flat, green seed is usually still too immature to germinate.
Dry fruits such as beans, peas, grain, and lettuces are simple to
harvest. Collect the seed pods when they have dried, and the seed is
mature. Keep in mind that seed pods can break open, causing seed to
be lost.
Wet fruit such as tomatoes, peppers, and melons take a little more
work. The seeds mature after the fruit is harvested for eating.
Leave a few fruits on the plant to let the seeds ripen in the fruit.
When the seeds are ready, the fruit will be sour or fermenting,
making it unsuitable for eating. [to top of second
column]
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Clean and dry seeds
Removing the seeds from all other materials is important for
getting the seeds ready for storage. Seeds are usually heavier
than the other plant material, so screens, a light breeze, or
putting the material on an incline can separate the seeds from
the rest of the material.
Remove seeds from wet fruits by removing the seeds and rinsing
them with cool water until clean.
Tomatoes have gelatinous material surrounding the seeds that
prevents the seeds from germinating. Fermentation is required to
separate the pulp from the seed.
Remove this pulpy material by putting the seeds into a container
with an equal amount of water. Cover with a cheesecloth and keep
at 75 to 80°F out of direct sunlight.
Stir the mixture once a day for several days. A white mold may
form, and the mixture may have an unpleasant odor. That lets you
know the fermentation process is working.
After two to five days, peel the material off the top of the
mixture. The seeds that have dropped to the bottom are viable
seeds for collecting. Rinse the seeds until the water is clear.
Allow seeds to dry on a paper plate, coffee filter, or another
suitable spot. Package
and store seeds
Seeds should be kept in a cool, dry location. In a humid climate,
glass jars or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid are an
excellent way to store seeds. A refrigerator is also suitable for
seed storage if moisture is controlled. Remember to label the
containers to avoid mix-ups.
Plant the seeds in your garden. Remember that plants in the best
conditions will grow into plants that will give you the best seed to
collect next year.
[Author: Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle,
Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension] |