Collecting seed for saving

Fully ripe seed is viable and stores well, while damp seed rots or loses germination. Saving from several strong, true plants keeps the variety healthy and true to type. Cool, dry storage greatly extends how long the seed stays alive.

When

Late summer to autumn, once seed heads, pods or fruits are fully ripe and dry on the plant. Collect on a dry day, and leave your best plants to run to seed rather than eating them.

How

1. Choose healthy, true-to-type plants, and save from several plants for vigour. 2. Let pods and heads dry until brittle on the plant, and let wet-seeded fruit such as tomato and cucumber ripen fully. 3. Cut dry heads into a paper bag, or scoop seed from fruits. 4. For wet seed, ferment tomato pulp for a few days, then rinse and dry. 5. Dry all seed thoroughly on paper, out of direct sun. 6. Clean off the chaff, label with name and date, and store cool, dark and dry in paper envelopes or jars.

Notes

Save from open-pollinated or heritage varieties, as F1 hybrids do not come true. Keep different varieties of the same crop apart to avoid crossing. Beans, peas, tomatoes and lettuce are the easiest for beginners. Garden Organic runs the Heritage Seed Library.