While we’ve all heard about the benefits of growing your own food, seed saving is a lesser known practice that has the power to revolutionise your garden’s potential! Of late, the time-honored practice of seed saving is making a resurgence, and it’s easy to see why – it’s a tradition that connects us to our agricultural heritage while paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Understanding Seed Saving
At its essence, seed saving is the practice of collecting and preserving seeds from plants in your garden or community, allowing you to replant them in future growing seasons. It’s a simple yet powerful concept with profound implications.
Why Seed Saving Is Important
Preservation of Biodiversity: In the modern agricultural landscape, commercial seed production often focuses on a limited range of crop varieties, leading to a loss of biodiversity. By saving and sharing seeds from diverse plant varieties, we contribute to preserving genetic diversity, which is essential for resilient and adaptable crops.
Local Adaptation: Seeds saved from plants that thrive in your local climate gradually adapt to the specific conditions of your region. This local adaptation results in hardier and more productive plants that require fewer resources, such as water and fertilizers.
Cost Savings: Purchasing seeds or seedlings each growing season can become a substantial expense. Seed saving allows you to reduce costs and build a more self-sufficient and sustainable approach to gardening.
Food Security: In a world with increasing environmental challenges and uncertain climatic conditions, seed saving serves as a valuable insurance policy. Having a diverse collection of seeds ensures access to food even when commercial seed sources may be limited.
How to Start Seed Saving
Selecting the Right Plants: Begin by selecting open-pollinated or heirloom varieties, as these will produce seeds that come true to the parent plant. Avoid hybrid varieties, which often do not produce stable seeds. Additionally, some plants are just easier and the below are great choices for beginners:
- Tomatoes
- Capscium
- Beans
- Peas
2. Harvesting Seeds: Allow the chosen plants to mature fully. Collect seeds once the fruits have ripened or the plant has gone to seed. Research what you need to by variety though as it does vary. For example, for tomatoes:
- Wait until the fruit is fully ripe on the plant
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp
- Place in a jar of water and leave for a few days, until the seeds have sunk to the bottom
- Pour liquid away, and rinse the seeds
- Leave them to dry on a paper towel
3. Storage: Place dried seeds in paper envelopes or glass containers. Label each container with the plant name and the date of collection. Store seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place to extend their viability.
4. Sharing and Community: Seed saving is not just a personal endeavor; it’s a communal effort. Connect with local seed-saving organizations and swap seeds with fellow gardeners to broaden the genetic diversity in your region. You may also find that your local ‘Buy Nothing’ Group also has other members interested in sharing seeds.
Seed saving is a beautifully simple yet immensely impactful practice that empowers individuals, communities, and our planet as a whole. By preserving the genetic diversity of our crops, promoting local adaptation, and fostering a sense of self-reliance, we pave the way for a more sustainable and secure future. It’s also immensely satisfying to know that you’ve grown your own plants and vegetables literally ‘from scratch’. So, join the seed-saving movement, and become a steward of biodiversity, an advocate for food security, and a harbinger of a greener world. Your garden holds the keys to a bountiful and resilient future—let’s save them together.
