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If you’ve ever found yourself eyeing the price tag on a seed packet and muttering, “How much for lettuce seeds?” this post is for you. Whether you’re a brand-new gardener or a seasoned dirt-under-the-nails type, saving your own seeds is one of the most empowering—and practical—things you can do in the garden.
Not only does it save money, but it also helps build a stronger, more resilient garden over time. Let’s dig into the how and why of seed saving, and I’ll walk you through the basics of saving seeds from different kinds of plants.
Why Bother Saving Seeds?
- Save Money: Obvious, but worth saying. Once you’ve built up your seed stash, you won’t need to hit the garden center every spring.
- Grow Plants That Thrive in Your Garden: Seeds you save from healthy, vigorous plants are naturally better adapted to your local soil, pests, and climate. This is especially true for open-pollinated and heirloom varieties.
- Preserve Biodiversity: When you save seeds from unique or heirloom plants, you’re helping protect genetic diversity and keep rare varieties alive.
- Build Community: Seed swaps, anyone? Trading seeds with neighbors is a great way to share abundance and learn from each other.
- Be More Self-Sufficient: Because the world definitely needs more of us who know how to grow food from scratch—and share it.
The Basics
Before you go snipping seed heads off everything in your garden, there are a few important things to know.
Open-Pollinated vs. Hybrid
- Open-Pollinated (OP): These are your seed-saving besties. OP plants will grow true-to-type—meaning their offspring will look and taste like the parent.
- Hybrid (F1): These plants are the offspring of two different parent varieties. If you save seeds from hybrids, the next generation can be unpredictable (think of it like a genetic mystery bag).
How to Save Seeds from Different Types of Plants
1. Tomatoes (Wet-Seeded Fruits)
Tomatoes are self-pollinating, so they’re perfect for beginners. But you need to ferment the seeds first to remove the germination-inhibiting gel.
How-to:
- Scoop seeds into a jar with a bit of water.
- Let ferment 2-3 days until a thin layer of mold forms.
- Rinse seeds well, dry on a plate or coffee filter until completely dry.
2. Beans, Peas, and Other Podded Plants (Dry-Seeded Crops)
These are some of the easiest seeds to save. Just leave the pods on the plant until they’re brown and brittle.
How-to:
- Harvest when pods are dry.
- Shell and spread seeds out to dry further for a week or two.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
3. Leafy Greens (Bolting Crops)
Lettuce, spinach, arugula—these are plants you need to let bolt (send up a flower stalk). Be patient—this can take a while.
How-to:
- Let the plant flower and form seeds.
- Once seed heads are dry and brown, snip them off.
- Shake or rub seeds free and store
4. Root Crops (Biennials Like Carrots, Beets, and Parsnips)
Here’s the kicker—many root crops won’t make seeds until their second year because they’re biennials. You’ll need to overwinter them.
How-to:
- In the fall, dig up healthy roots.
- Store in a cool, humid spot (like a root cellar or fridge).
- Replant in spring. Let them flower, set seed, and dry.
- OR if you’re feeling lucky, just leave them in the garden to over winter (a thick layer of mulch will help!) and cross your fingers
A Few More Things to Know
- Isolation Matters: Some plants cross-pollinate easily (like squash or brassicas). If you want true-to-type seeds, you may need to hand-pollinate or space varieties apart.
- Storage: Keep seeds dry and cool. An airtight container in a jar with silica gel or powdered milk works great.
- Label Everything: You think you’ll remember which seeds are which. You won’t.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Seed saving isn’t just a money-saver—it’s a way to build a stronger, more food-secure community. When we grow plants that thrive in our backyards and share seeds with neighbors, we build resilience from the ground up.
So whether you’re saving a few tomato seeds or starting a neighborhood seed exchange, you’re part of something bigger. A living tradition of community care, food sovereignty, and connection to the land.