How to Save Seeds

For thousands of years farmers saved their seeds each year so that they could plant again the following year. 

Think about this:  There is a story of a school out in the western United States that would give the students a cob of corn to go out and start a new life. They would take that cob and use all the kernels to plant corn the next season. 

Those 200 kernels turned into 200 plants that each had 4 cobs of corn. Now that one corn cob had turned into 160,000 kernels of corn in just one year! Imagine the increase year after year by saving just a small portion of kernels for seed.

By saving seed that is open pollinated you will find that the crop will adapt and grow better and better in your climate and region. After all, who wants to be a slave to a system of going to the store to buy seed as the only way to grow food?

Most plants if left to continue to grow through the harvest and into the fall will develop seed coats where the seeds are safely stored. The majority of seeds need to be harvested and dried to germinate properly the following season. Ideally you will be plucking dried seeds from the plants when they are ready.

The seed packets are important because often the seed hardens and will drop to the ground. You need to be constantly watching for the optimal time and then harvest the seed. 

Store your seeds in paper bags. This will allow them to continue to dry. Store your seeds in these bags or sealed containers free from moisture, heat and sun exposure. Ideally store seed in a very cool, dark, and dry environment. To get seeds from fruit or veggies where the inside is where the seed is stored like a tomato, you want to scoop out the seed and spread them on a towel, cloth or coffee filter paper but not regular paper towel due to them sticking. Leave them here for a while and let them dry.

You can use our free printable below and make your own seed packets!