How do you preserve seeds from your garden harvest so you can plant them next season?

Answer 1

First of all, ensure that the seeds are dry and free from any plant debris remaining from the seed head. Then store them in small envelopes and put the collection of envelopes in an airtight container and store that in a cool dark dry place until you need them. Alternatively, a friend of mine stores her seeds in the little canisters that photographic film is sold in - nothing like a bit of recycling! Oh yes, and dont forget to label the seeds - nothing more frustrating than that guessing game in spring! Good luck. There are so many different ways to keep seeds depending on the variety.Particularly with vegetables, some can easily cross and quickly become poor quality in a few generations,while others are self -pollinating.There are many seed saving organizations around now,dedicated to keeping these old varieties going which have served mankind so well for so long .I've suggested a couple of links on the left-even the Australian one can be useful to those not living there as they have a great book available that has been translated into several languages.There are others,so a web search is useful.But be warned-it can get pretty addictive!

Another answer: oh, alas, the ultimate question. Got a minute? I use this method and get a 95-100% germination rate. First and foremost, cull the herd. Meaning use the healthiest seeds you get. If the plant has dry seeds like peppers or most flowers, place on a paper plate to dry and select only the biggest and fattest seeds. If wet seeds like tomatoes , wash with an anti bacterial soap and place them on a paper towel about every inch apart and label them,(very important) put them in a place like a china cabinet or cupboard to dry. Take scissors and cut the paper towel into squares with the seed in the middle, go through them when dry and pick the fattest seeds, shaped like a football and discard the flat ones. The fat ones have more energy and nutrients locked up in them and will produce better. put them in a zip lock baggie with the name of the plant and the year on the outside with a permanent marker. come springtime, I plant the seed and paper towel square. the paper will not hinder the plant, its fertilizer.