Seed Saving: Why and How

Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak, Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather

College ofAgriculture and Natural Resources

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Our Vision:

A healthier world through environmental stewardship.

Our Mission:

To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective & sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, & communities.

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Seed Saving - Outline History/Why save seeds? Types of seeds Pollination challenges Steps to harvest, clean, and store

flower and vegetable seeds Longevity of saved seeds Resources, final thoughts

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History - US 150 years ago - no seed saving companies! 1854 - farmer (or gardener) exchange, on-

farm seed saving, and US PTO 1897-1924 – under USDA management 1.1 B

packets distributed each year 1866 – first commercial seed produced,

cabbage, Long Island NY 1945 – hybrid techniques led to growth of

regional seed companies Today – company consolidations: 10 seed

companies account for 67% of the global proprietary seed market.

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Benefits of Saving Seeds

Engage in the cycle of life Preserve heirloom varieties Encourage genetic diversity Save money

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Engage in the Cycle of Life

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Preserve heirloom varieties

Pretzel Bean - nutty flavor!

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Preserve heirloom varieties

Mouse Melon – cucumber and fava bean taste

from our Derwood Demo Garden

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Preserve heirloom varieties

All Heirloom Tomatoes!

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Encourage genetic diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

More variation → greater adaptability

Selective breeding → monoculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Famine_memorial_dublin.jpg

Irish Potato Famine 1845

Entire crop cloned from one potato

“Lumper” variety susceptible to Phytophthora infestans

Almost entire crop destroyed; 1M people starved to death

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Save money !

Perhaps the most attractive of all!

Types of Seeds :Can I save all seeds?

Heirloom: Good for seed saving

Open-pollinated seed varieties Over 50 years old Not the vegetables you usually see in grocery Some stores carry seeds & vegetables that are

specifically labeled “heirloom”

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Cherokee Purple

Can I save all seeds?

Hybrid: Not reliable for saving

Bred for specific characteristics by crossing two varieties

Seeds germinate, but do not breed true to parents

Seeds from hybrids may produce plants whose taste, color, size, etc., may not be desirable 14

Better Boy

What is Pollination?

The transfer of pollen from the anther

(on stamen) to the stigma

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Self pollination Cross pollination

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Anther: creates pollen

Understanding Pollination

Pollination impacts seed quantity and quality

Optimum conditions for successful pollination are not the same for all plants

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Pollination Challenges Self pollination easiest: tomatoes, beans,

lettuce, peas Cross pollination – by wind, bird, or insect

harder: squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, carrots, corn, radishes

Pollination Control Techniques

If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds for pollination you can use:

Physical distance separation Growing only one variety for saving &

exchanging seeds with other seed savers Bagging & hand pollinating Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating

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Calendula

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Saving Flower Seeds

Harvesting Flower Seeds

Do not deadhead! Wait for petals to

fall off Seed head or pod

will be exposed

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Harvesting Flower Seeds Cut flower several

inches below seed head

Dry seed head in paper bag

Seeds will fall to the bottom

Can take 1 to 4 weeks

Saving Vegetable Seeds

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Legume seeds

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When to Harvest Veggie Seeds Ideal time to harvest varies from plant to

plant Some seeds (e.g., melon) are ready to

harvest when fruit is ready to eat Other seeds (e.g., squash and cukes) should

be left on vine after you would normally eat them

Cleaning Vegetable SeedsTwo types: dry seeds & wet seeds

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DRY

BeanBroccoliChiliesCornEggplantLettucePepper

WET

Berries Cucumber Malabar spinach Melon Pumpkin Squash Tomato

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Cleaning Dry SeedsSeparate seed from chaff by:

                        

Winnowing in a gentle wind

Using two screens of varying mesh size

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Cleaning Wet Vegetable Seeds Most seeds: Place in mesh strainer and gently

wash with water; pat underneath strainer with towel

Some seeds: Must ferment first to remove germination-inhibiting substances, e.g., tomato, Malabar spinach.

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Cleaning Tomato SeedsPut seeds & pulp in bowl, add water

Let stand at room temp for 3-4 days; stir a few times a day

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Cleaning Tomato Seeds Pour off pulp & any dead seeds that float Good seeds sink to bottom & can be washed

in a strainer

Pulp and dead seeds Washed seeds

Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds Pat bottom of strainer

with cloth towel Let dry a few hours Spread seeds on

plastic, glass or ceramic plate to dry (not paper or even waxed paper): use a non-sticking material

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Drying tomato seeds

See the LABEL!!

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Seed Drying Requirements

Spread seeds only 1 or 2 thick Dry in an airy, dry location, such as an

air-conditioned room Keep humidity between 20% to 40% Takes 2 weeks or more LABEL them!

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Always LABEL Your Seeds Seed type and date collected Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)

Seeds may

look alike

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Seed Storage Containers

Place seeds in individual paper envelopes, wax paper, or zip lock bags.

Label with variety name, collection date, even picture of plant in bloom.

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Seed Storage ContainersStore seed packets in larger containers, such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or accordion folders by month to plant.

Home Made Commercial

Spaghetti jarIce Cream Jar

Zip lock bag

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Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes

http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/Envelope.htm

Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued.

Remember to always LABEL them!

Where to Store Seeds

Good: Cool, dry, and dark place—closet or cupboard

Better: Airtight containers in refrigerator Best: Dry to 5 to 7% moisture content by

weight; store several degrees below freezing (not many of us can be this precise!)

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Problems With Stored Seeds 1 Temperature variation Moisture fluctuation

If weather is humid when drying, put desiccant (silica gel packet) in container with seeds, remove after 7 - 8 days

If after drying, see: Mold or mildew on seeds Moisture on inside of storage container Also use desiccant

Problems With Stored Seeds 2 Insects

Freezing is safest Add diatomaceous earth (DE)

Animal pests (use tightly closed containers)

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How Long Will My Seeds Last?It depends… Long lived (> 5 years - in general) : Brussels sprouts,

cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melon, radish, rutabaga, spinach, squash, and turnip

Medium lived (3-5 years - in general): Bean, beet, broccoli, carrot, leek, pea, pepper, pumpkin, and tomato

Shorter lived (1-2 years - in general) : Corn, onion, parsley, parsnip

Germination Considerations

Germination rates will always decline over time

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How To Estimate Germination Rate

Place 25 seeds on wet paper towel

Cover with wet paper towel, roll

Place in plastic bag + holes → 75°

Count at day 6: 23/25 = 92% GR

Check daily: 1st count – day 7 2nd count – day 14

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Where to Find Heirloom Seeds

Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange; MGs)

Your own seed circle of neighbors, friends Seed Savers Exchange – lists sources for open-

pollinated and heirloom seeds Seeds Trust – online store for heirloom seeds

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Resources on Seed Saving Ashworth, Suzanne. Seed to Seed Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starter’s Handbook Deppe, Carol. Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties Rogers, Marc. Saving Seeds Turner, Carole. Seed Sowing and Saving Rowe, Jack. http://howtosaveseeds.com - Vegetable Seed

Saving Handbook

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Final Thoughts: 1

Check references to see how your seeds should be saved

To be sure your seeds breed true use heirloom varieties

Consider starting out with a self pollinating plant For cross pollinating plants grow one variety and

share with other seed savers, (and libraries!)

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Final Thoughts: 2

Select seeds from healthy and multiple plants, from those producing the best vegetables and flowers

Learn to recognize plant diseases since some can be transmitted in seeds

Learn what mature seeds look like for the plant seeds you wish to harvest

Remember to always LABEL your seed rows, drying plates, and seed containers

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Resources

Grow It! Eat It!http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit

We have all types of practical food gardening tips and information. Check out our popular blog!

Home and Garden Information Centerhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic

Here you will find factsheets, photos, and videos. You can also subscribe to the free monthly e-newsletter.

We answer gardening questions 24/7…just click “Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts”

Maryland Master Gardener Programhttp://www.extension.umd.edu/mg

Consider becoming a trained MG volunteer!

This program was brought to you by the Maryland Master Gardener Program

Montgomery CountyUniversity of Maryland Extension