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Saving seeds for next year's garden?
Some thoughts and observations as you prepare for the next generation
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As the weather gets colder and the plants begin to signal that winter is on the way, I think back to what my father did at this time of year: save seeds from his best tomato plants for next year. He would cut the fruit open, scrape out the seeds and leave them to dry on newspaper, before storing them in an envelope to plant next spring.
While I don't save the seeds from tomatoes, I have been known to save seeds from some other plants. Last year, a gardener of my acquaintance gave me a hardy begonia plant, together with some seed pods. The plant itself didn't do well, however one of the seed pods sprouted and produced a plant which bloomed in my backyard, hopefully to drop seed pods and spread in future years.
If you have special plants that you'd like to propagate from seed, here are some observations and tips which might prove helpful.
Observations and tips
• Plants that are hybrids will probably not produce seeds that you can or should save for next year. They are the result of the cross between two specific plants — plants that you do not have in your garden. Rather, you have the offspring. Yes, you can save the seeds, but don't be surprised if you don't get what you expect or the seeds don't germinate at all.
Two peach trees which seeded themselves (or
perhaps a neighborhood squirrel did the honors) in my yard, produce gorgeous pink flowers each spring. But the small, white peaches are not sweet at all, although there are certainly a lot of them.
• Some plants will easily pollinate from related species, such as varieties of melons and squash. The only way to make sure the seeds breed true is to make sure that there are no related plants in the immediate area which could have crossed with yours and produced a very strange offspring — not easy in the home garden. On the other hand, you may be adventurous and interested in a new flower or veggie.
• Since all plants are different, research each individual one for peculiarities. Some seeds need to pass through a bird's intestine to become more viable. The black spruce has a tough cone which opens following a forest fire to drop the seeds to the ground below.
• Generally, seeds are gathered late in the growing season, but if you notice a plant going to seed earlier and you want to save the seeds, by all means do so.
• Remember the birds at this time of year. If you don't plan to harvest seeds from your plants, leave the stalks alone as birds will appreciate eating the seeds as the weather gets colder.
• Seed exchanges do exist. So, if you're looking for seeds from a somewhat rare or exotic plant, one that doesn't seem to be available commercially, go online and do a search. You'd be amazed at what you come up with. Some plant societies also do a seed exchange, so don't forget to check them out as well. You may have something that they want and the reverse.
Next week, some tips on saving seeds from those special plants.
Ellen Barcel is a freelance writer and master gardener. To reach Cornell Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener Program, call 727-7850.
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