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Seed Saving: Why and How
Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak,
Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather
With the Master Gardener Class of 2018
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.
Please Silence Your Cell Phone
Thank you!
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Seed Saving - Outline
▪ Brief History in US
▪ 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 - USColonial Era
There were no seed saving companies!
Almost everyone grew plants for food
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/american-farm-scenes-currier-and-ives.html
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History - US
Seeds were saved and exchanged with seeds from Native Americans
Corn, squash, beans, crop rotation, and companion planting among Native American contributions
http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/the-narragansett
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History - US1784
David Landreth starts first seed company in Philadelphia
http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%201%20-%20The%20Commemorative%20Newsletter%20Series/Garlic.html
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History - US
1820
David Landreth introduced the tomato, white potato, and zinnia to America
http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%204%20-%20Part%20IV%20The%20Period:%201820-1830/Garlic.ht 10
History - US
1820 - 1850
Local seed companies flourished
http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse
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History - US
1854
US PTO, Ag Division, developed a free system for distributing seeds to farmers
In 1861 2.4 M packets were distributed
http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse12
History - US
1862-1924
President Abraham Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture in 1862
▪ Under USDA
management by
1897 1.1 B packets
were being
distributed each
year – for free
https://www.etsy.com/market/heirloom_vegetable
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History - US
1945
Hybrid techniques led to growth of many regional seed companies
Today
Company consolidations: 10 seed companies account for 65% of the global proprietary seed market.
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National and Global Seed
Preservation National Center for Genetic
Resources Preservation,
USDA, Ft. Collins, CO
maintains US seed collections
Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway
holds duplicate samples of seeds
held in gene banks worldwide
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Svalbard Global Seed Vault,
Norway
Carved into
a mountain,
-18° - 20° C
> 880,000 unique seed
types, 563,272,050
individual seeds,
largest collection in the
world16
Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Vegetable Varieties Lost
Crop 1903 1983 Percent Lost
Beans 578 32 94.5
Beets 288 17 94.1
Carrot 287 21 92.7
Lettuce 497 36 92.8
Squash 341 40 88.3
Tomato 408 79 80.6
Peanut 31 2 93.5
“It is unlikely that such large percentages of crop varieties could be
lost without the permanent loss of unique traits.” - Seeds on Ice, C. Fowler
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Why Save Seeds?
These?
OR
THESE!
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Engage in the Cycle of Life
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Preserve Heirloom Varieties
Moon and Stars
Watermelon
almost lost!
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Preserve Heirloom Varieties
Cherokee Popcorn –
decorative and
delicious
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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!24
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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Develop New Varieties
1. Selection - allow only plants that show desirable
traits – in your garden - to produce seeds.
But - plant some seeds of the original variety in with
your newly-selected seeds each season to maintain
some genetic diversity.
2. Cross pollination – allow two different hybrid
varieties to grow together and to naturally cross.
Allow to continue mixing, or
separate into groups based on
observed differences
Consult resources for details!!26
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
desirable28
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
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Additional Pollination Terms
Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen
transferred “naturally” by
Wind, insects, birds
Pollen transferred directly to stigma within the
same flower (self pollination)
Controlled pollination: Transfer of pollen
from one variety to another while excluding
all other pollen
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 Master
Gardeners
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
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Saving Flower Seeds
Celosia or
Cockscomb
Flower
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Cleaning Dry Seeds
Separate seed from chaff by:
Winnowing in a gentle wind
Using one or two screens of varying mesh size
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Cleaning Celosia Seeds
Celosia flower
head
Seeds and chaff
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Cleaning Celosia Seeds
Seeds and chaff on
screen
Only the seeds fall through
screen onto paper
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
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Cleaning Vegetable Seeds
Two types: dry seeds & wet seeds
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DRY
Bean
Broccoli
Chilies
Corn
Eggplant
Lettuce
Pepper
WET
Berries
Cucumber
Malabar spinach
Melon
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
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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 Seeds
Put 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!!48
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: Dry or Moist
Seeds are either tolerant or intolerant of desiccation (drying)
If desiccation intolerant (cannot survive drying):
Large-seeded plants: ex. mango, avocado
Don’t go dormant and need to breathe
Must be stored moist
Shorter shelf life (a few months)
Seed Storage: Dry or Moist
Desiccation Tolerant (survive drying)
Most plant seeds
While ripening & drying, seeds prepare for
dormancy by:
Slowing physiological processes
Converting sugars to fats and starches
Can be safely stored for a longer time
Most vegetable seeds
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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 Containers
Store 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!
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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
Use desiccant in future!
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, 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, lettuce , 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
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; Master Gardeners)
Your own seed circle of Master Gardener members
Seed Savers Exchange – www.seedsavers.org
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange -
www.southernexposure.com/
Seeds of Change - www.seedsofchange.com
Territorial Seed Company www.territorialseed.com/
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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 open
pollinated or heirloom varieties
Consider starting out with a self pollinating
plant
For cross pollinating plants grow one variety
and share with other seed savers!64
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
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Final Thoughts: 3
Remember to always LABEL your seed
rows, drying plates, and seed containers
As Master Gardeners we can encourage and
educate other gardeners about the Why and
How of seed saving
Benefits of Saving Seeds
Engage in the cycle of life
Preserve heirloom varieties
Encourage genetic diversity
Develop new varieties
Save money
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Digging Deeper
Exploring the science
behind gardening
All topics welcome
Not just for scientists -
any MG welcome
A fun relaxing discussion about all those
gardening questions you always wanted to ask
Participating in the research project to test
heat tolerant vegetable varieties!
Contact Janet - [email protected]
Ref - UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin #2750 KM
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Master Gardeners Encourage Seed Saving!
Montgomery County Fair – MG Demo Garden – August 2011
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This program was brought to you by the
Master Gardener Program of Montgomery County,
University of Maryland Extension.