Teresa Doyle - Seeds for a Song

Seed Saving 101

The easiest seeds to save are self-pollinating plants like beans, peas and tomatoes. Self-pollinators have both male and female parts so they are less likely to cross-pollinate. Corn, spinach, squash and cucumbers are a little trickier because they are wind pollinated. If you want to be sure to get the same squash each year for example, isolate that squash from other varieties and hand pollinate it.

Beans and Peas

For beans and peas, simply let the pods dry on the plant. I usually pick a few at a time, harvesting them when they are dry enough to 'rattle' in the pod. When growing peas and beans just for seed, space them at least 6" apart for optimum drying conditions. The longer you can leave the seeds on a plant the better! If the fall is very rainy, pull the whole plant and hang it in a dry building. Shell the beans and peas and let them continue to dry until you can no longer put a dent in them with your teeth. Put them in a paper bag to absorb any additional moisture and store seeds in a mouse proof container in a cool, dry place.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes require an entirely different method. Choose tomatoes that have the characteristics that you desire—great taste, early ripening, size, etc. Leave the chosen ones on the vine until they are over-ripe. Throw the insides of the tomatoes into a container for a few days and let it start to ferment. The fermentation process eats the gelatinous materials. After a few days add some water. The viable seed will sink and the fleshy goop will rise. Keep adding a bit of water and continue to pour off the scuzz until you are left with the seed. Allow the seed to dry thoroughly before storing. Cucumbers and zucchini seeds can be harvested in a similar fashion. Note, the most viable seed will be at the bottom end where the flower was, not at the top where it is attached to the vine.

Carrots

Carrots are biennials, meaning it will take two seasons to harvest seed. Choose the best carrots, put them in a paper bag, inside a plastic bag and stash them in the back of the fridge for the winter. In the spring, replant the roots and they will grow new tops that are several feet high. Cut off any side shoots. The carrots will grow beautiful seed heads quite like Queen Ann's lace. Tip the mature seed heads into a paper bag. Do this every year because carrot seed loses it's viability quite quickly. Bean seeds will keep for a number of years.

Flowers

Finally, be sure to save some flower seeds…poppies, corn flowers, nigella, calendula, etc. Vegetables are food for the body, flowers are food for the soul. Some flower seeds are ready as early as July. Watch the birds—when they show an interest, so should you. Again, simply tip the seed head into a paper bag. To clean tiny seeds, throw them into the air on a windy day, or pour them back and forth between two containers in front of a small fan.

I am a novice seed saver and only know the basics. There are some excellent resources available on the net. Check out Salt Spring Seeds and their 'one mile diet.' Another great resource is Seeds of Diversity Canada.

Happy gardening!

—Teresa


	Seed Saving 101 The easiest seeds to save are self-pollinating plants like beans, peas and tomatoes. Self-pollinators have both male and female parts so they are less likely to cross-pollinate. Corn, spinach, squash and cucumbers are a little trickier because they are wind pollinated. If you want to be sure to get the same squash each year for example, isolate that squash from other varieties and hand pollinate it. Beans and Peas For beans and peas, simply let the pods dry on the plant. I usually pick a few at a time, harvesting them when they are dry enough to 'rattle' in the pod. When growing peas and beans just for seed, space them at least 6" apart for optimum drying conditions. The longer you can leave the seeds on a plant the better! If the fall is very rainy, pull the whole plant and hang it in a dry building. Shell the beans and peas and let them continue to dry until you can no longer put a dent in them with your teeth. Put them in a paper bag to absorb any additional moisture and store seeds in a mouse proof container in a cool, dry place. Tomatoes Tomatoes require an entirely different method. Choose tomatoes that have the characteristics that you desire—great taste, early ripening, size, etc. Leave the chosen ones on the vine until they are over-ripe. Throw the insides of the tomatoes into a container for a few days and let it start to ferment. The fermentation process eats the gelatinous materials. After a few days add some water. The viable seed will sink and the fleshy goop will rise. Keep adding a bit of water and continue to pour off the scuzz until you are left with the seed. Allow the seed to dry thoroughly before storing. Cucumbers and zucchini seeds can be harvested in a similar fashion. Note, the most viable seed will be at the bottom end where the flower was, not at the top where it is attached to the vine. Carrots Carrots are biennials, meaning it will take two seasons to harvest seed. Choose the best carrots, put them in a paper bag, inside a plastic bag and stash them in the back of the fridge for the winter. In the spring, replant the roots and they will grow new tops that are several feet high. Cut off any side shoots. The carrots will grow beautiful seed heads quite like Queen Ann's lace. Tip the mature seed heads into a paper bag. Do this every year because carrot seed loses it's viability quite quickly. Bean seeds will keep for a number of years. Flowers Finally, be sure to save some flower seeds…poppies, corn flowers, nigella, calendula, etc. Vegetables are food for the body, flowers are food for the soul. Some flower seeds are ready as early as July. Watch the birds—when they show an interest, so should you. Again, simply tip the seed head into a paper bag. To clean tiny seeds, throw them into the air on a windy day, or pour them back and forth between two containers in front of a small fan. I am a novice seed saver and only know the basics. There are some excellent resources available on the net. Check out Salt Spring Seeds and their 'one mile diet.' Another great resource is Seeds of Diversity Canada. Happy gardening! —Teresa Intro Letter Intro Letter (PDF) Project Goals Buy "Dance Me Outside" Seeds Saving 101 Resources March 2010 Update Teresa currently has free kale and heritage mixed bean seeds to give away. Anyone interested in having some of these seeds sent to them can contact teresa@teresadoyle.com. Support Seeds for a Song We encourage you to support our project by purchasing "Dance Me Outside" from iTunes. For more information please read about our Project Goals.