ALEXANDRIA
— As October arrives and gardens wind down, seed saving offers a simple, satisfying way to carry your favorite plants into next season. Whether you’re collecting seeds from vegetables or flowers, it’s a do-it-yourself tradition that builds resilience, preserves beloved varieties, and keeps gardening accessible.
Sometimes they’re in short supply, or you’ve found a variety that thrives in your soil and want to keep it going. Once you learn the basics, you’ll always have a stash of your favorite blooms and produce.
Not all seeds are suitable for saving. Hybrid varieties often produce unpredictable offspring. To ensure consistency, choose open-pollinated or heirloom types — they’ll “grow true,” meaning the next generation will resemble the parent plant.
Harvesting vegetable seeds
Wait until fruits are fully ripe and seeds are mature. Tomatoes are easy, but cucumbers should be left to yellow on the vine, and peppers should ripen to red or orange. Always collect seeds from healthy, vigorous plants.
For dry seeds like peas and beans, let pods turn brown and papery. Shell and dry the seeds on mesh screens or paper towels in a cool, dry spot for about a week. Good airflow helps prevent mold.
Tomatoes and cucumbers need extra care. Their seeds are coated in a gel that inhibits germination. Scoop seeds and gel into a jar half-filled with water. Swish gently, then let sit for 3–4 days, shaking occasionally. When seeds settle, strain through a fine mesh, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
Many flowers are generous seed producers. Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and coneflowers are great choices. Let flower heads dry on the plant, then snip and gently rub or shake to release seeds. Label everything — come spring, it’s easy to forget what’s what.
Here are some supplies you will want to have on hand when harvesting your seeds:
Mesh screens or paper towels for drying.Small bowls or trays for sorting.Envelopes, jars, or recycled containers.Permanent markers for labeling.Scissors or pruners for harvesting.Fine mesh strainer for rinsing wet seeds.Garden journal for tracking varieties.
Store seeds in labeled paper envelopes in a cool, dry, dark place — like a basement shelf or fridge drawer. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and can lead to mold or premature sprouting.
As you wrap up your summer garden, try saving a few seeds. You’ll save money, preserve your favorite heirlooms, and enjoy the deep satisfaction of growing plants entirely on your own.
For more information about seed saving, visit
extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/saving-vegetable-seeds.
Until next time, happy gardening!
Robin Trott
is a horticulture educator with University of Minnesota Extension. Contact her at 320-762-3890, or at
trot0053@umn.
Robin Trott
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