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Seed Saving: Why and How

Janet Young, Karen Mills, CindyWalczak,

Katie McIe, and Donna Starkweather

With the Master Gardener Class of 2018

Our Vision:

A healthier world through

environmental stewardship.

Our Mission:

To support the University of

Maryland Extension mission by

educating residents about safe,

effective & sustainable

horticultural practices that build

healthy gardens, landscapes, &

communities.

Please Silence Your Cell Phone

Thank you!

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Seed Saving - Outline

▪ Brief History in US

▪ Why save seeds?

▪ Types of seeds

▪ Pollination challenges

▪ Steps to harvest, clean, and store

flower and vegetable seeds

▪ Longevity of saved seeds

▪ Resources, final thoughts

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History - USColonial Era

There were no seed saving companies!

Almost everyone grew plants for food

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/american-farm-scenes-currier-and-ives.html

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History - US

Seeds were saved and exchanged with seeds from Native Americans

Corn, squash, beans, crop rotation, and companion planting among Native American contributions

http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/the-narragansett

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History - US1784

David Landreth starts first seed company in Philadelphia

http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%201%20-%20The%20Commemorative%20Newsletter%20Series/Garlic.html

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History - US

1820

David Landreth introduced the tomato, white potato, and zinnia to America

http://www.landrethseeds.com/newsletters/Volume%205/Issue%204%20-%20Part%20IV%20The%20Period:%201820-1830/Garlic.ht 10

History - US

1820 - 1850

Local seed companies flourished

http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse

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History - US

1854

US PTO, Ag Division, developed a free system for distributing seeds to farmers

In 1861 2.4 M packets were distributed

http://americangardenhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=seed+warehouse12

History - US

1862-1924

President Abraham Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture in 1862

▪ Under USDA

management by

1897 1.1 B packets

were being

distributed each

year – for free

https://www.etsy.com/market/heirloom_vegetable

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History - US

1945

Hybrid techniques led to growth of many regional seed companies

Today

Company consolidations: 10 seed companies account for 65% of the global proprietary seed market.

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National and Global Seed

Preservation National Center for Genetic

Resources Preservation,

USDA, Ft. Collins, CO

maintains US seed collections

Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway

holds duplicate samples of seeds

held in gene banks worldwide

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Svalbard Global Seed Vault,

Norway

Carved into

a mountain,

-18° - 20° C

> 880,000 unique seed

types, 563,272,050

individual seeds,

largest collection in the

world16

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Vegetable Varieties Lost

Crop 1903 1983 Percent Lost

Beans 578 32 94.5

Beets 288 17 94.1

Carrot 287 21 92.7

Lettuce 497 36 92.8

Squash 341 40 88.3

Tomato 408 79 80.6

Peanut 31 2 93.5

“It is unlikely that such large percentages of crop varieties could be

lost without the permanent loss of unique traits.” - Seeds on Ice, C. Fowler

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Why Save Seeds?

These?

OR

THESE!

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Engage in the Cycle of Life

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Preserve Heirloom Varieties

Moon and Stars

Watermelon

almost lost!

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Preserve Heirloom Varieties

Cherokee Popcorn –

decorative and

delicious

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Preserve Heirloom Varieties

Pretzel Bean -

nutty flavor!

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Preserve Heirloom Varieties

Mouse Melon

– cucumber

and fava bean

taste

from our

Derwood

Demo

Garden

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Preserve Heirloom Varieties

All Heirloom Tomatoes!24

Encourage Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics

in the genetic makeup of a species.

More variation → greater adaptability

Selective breeding → monoculture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Famine_memorial_dublin.jpg

Irish Potato Famine 1845

Entire crop cloned from one potato

“Lumper” variety susceptible to

Phytophthora infestans

Almost entire crop destroyed; 1M

people starved to death

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Develop New Varieties

1. Selection - allow only plants that show desirable

traits – in your garden - to produce seeds.

But - plant some seeds of the original variety in with

your newly-selected seeds each season to maintain

some genetic diversity.

2. Cross pollination – allow two different hybrid

varieties to grow together and to naturally cross.

Allow to continue mixing, or

separate into groups based on

observed differences

Consult resources for details!!26

Save Money !

Perhaps the most attractive of all!

Types of Seeds :

Can I save all seeds?

Heirloom: Good for seed saving

Open-pollinated seed varieties

Over 50 years old

Not the vegetables you usually see in grocery

Some stores carry seeds & vegetables that are

specifically labeled “heirloom”

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Cherokee Purple

Can I save all seeds?

Hybrid: Not reliable for saving

Bred for specific characteristics by crossing

two varieties

Seeds germinate, but do not breed true to

parents

Seeds from hybrids may produce plants

whose taste, color, size, etc., may not be

desirable28

Better Boy

What is Pollination?

The transfer of pollen from the anther

(on stamen) to the stigma

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Self pollination Cross pollination

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Anther:

creates

pollen

Understanding Pollination

Pollination impacts seed quantity and

quality

Optimum conditions for successful

pollination are not the same for all plants

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Pollination Challenges

Self pollination easiest: tomatoes, beans,

lettuce, peas

Cross pollination – by wind, bird, or insect

harder: squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers,

carrots, corn, radishes

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Additional Pollination Terms

Open (uncontrolled) pollination: Pollen

transferred “naturally” by

Wind, insects, birds

Pollen transferred directly to stigma within the

same flower (self pollination)

Controlled pollination: Transfer of pollen

from one variety to another while excluding

all other pollen

Pollination Control Techniques

If your plant requires wind, insects, or birds

for pollination you can use:

Physical distance separation

Growing only one variety for saving &

exchanging seeds with other Master

Gardeners

Bagging & hand pollinating

Cages to exclude bees & hand pollinating

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Calendula

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Saving Flower Seeds

Harvesting Flower Seeds

Do not deadhead!

Wait for petals to

fall off

Seed head or pod

will be exposed

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Harvesting Flower Seeds

Cut flower several

inches below seed

head

Dry seed head in

paper bag

Seeds will fall to the

bottom

Can take 1 to 4

weeks

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Saving Flower Seeds

Celosia or

Cockscomb

Flower

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Cleaning Dry Seeds

Separate seed from chaff by:

Winnowing in a gentle wind

Using one or two screens of varying mesh size

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Cleaning Celosia Seeds

Celosia flower

head

Seeds and chaff

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Cleaning Celosia Seeds

Seeds and chaff on

screen

Only the seeds fall through

screen onto paper

Saving Vegetable Seeds

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Legume

seeds

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When to Harvest Veggie Seeds

Ideal time to harvest varies from plant to plant

Some seeds (e.g., melon) are ready to harvest when fruit is ready to eat

Other seeds (e.g., squash and cukes) should be left on vine after you would normally eat them

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Cleaning Vegetable Seeds

Two types: dry seeds & wet seeds

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DRY

Bean

Broccoli

Chilies

Corn

Eggplant

Lettuce

Pepper

WET

Berries

Cucumber

Malabar spinach

Melon

Pumpkin

Squash

Tomato

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Cleaning Wet Vegetable Seeds

Most seeds: Place in mesh strainer and gently

wash with water; pat underneath strainer with

towel

Some seeds: Must ferment first to remove

germination-inhibiting substances, e.g.,

tomato, Malabar spinach.

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Cleaning Tomato Seeds

Put seeds & pulp in bowl, add water

Let stand at

room temp

for 3-4 days;

stir a few

times a day

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Cleaning Tomato Seeds

Pour off pulp & any dead seeds that float

Good seeds sink to bottom & can be washed

in a strainer

Pulp and dead seeds Washed seeds

Drying Wet Vegetable Seeds

Pat bottom of strainer

with cloth towel

Let dry a few hours

Spread seeds on

plastic, glass or

ceramic plate to dry

(not paper or even

waxed paper): use a

non-sticking material

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Drying tomato seeds

See the LABEL!!48

Seed Drying Requirements

Spread seeds only 1 or 2 thick

Dry in an airy, dry location, such as an

air-conditioned room

Keep humidity between 20% to 40%

Takes 2 weeks or more

LABEL them!

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Always LABEL Your Seeds

Seed type and date collected

Special characteristics (Autumn Gold)

Seeds may

look alike

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Seed Storage: Dry or Moist

Seeds are either tolerant or intolerant of desiccation (drying)

If desiccation intolerant (cannot survive drying):

Large-seeded plants: ex. mango, avocado

Don’t go dormant and need to breathe

Must be stored moist

Shorter shelf life (a few months)

Seed Storage: Dry or Moist

Desiccation Tolerant (survive drying)

Most plant seeds

While ripening & drying, seeds prepare for

dormancy by:

Slowing physiological processes

Converting sugars to fats and starches

Can be safely stored for a longer time

Most vegetable seeds

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Seed Storage Containers

Place seeds in individual

paper envelopes, wax paper,

or zip lock bags.

Label with variety name,

collection date, even picture

of plant in bloom.

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Seed Storage Containers

Store seed packets in larger containers,

such as zip lock bags, screw-top jars, or

accordion folders by month to plant.

Home Made Commercial

Spaghetti jarIce Cream Jar

Zip lock bag

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Storing Seeds in Origami Envelopes

http://www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/Envelope.htm

Envelopes don't need to be taped or glued.

Remember to always LABEL them!

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Where to Store Seeds

Good: Cool, dry, and dark place—closet or

cupboard

Better: Airtight containers in refrigerator

Best: Dry to 5 to 7% moisture content by

weight; store several degrees below

freezing (not many of us can be this

precise!)

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Problems With Stored Seeds 1

Temperature variation

Moisture fluctuation

If weather is humid when drying, put desiccant (silica gel packet) in container with seeds, remove after 7 - 8 days

If after drying, see:

Mold or mildew on seeds

Moisture on inside of storage container

Use desiccant in future!

Problems With Stored Seeds 2

Insects

Freezing is safest

Add diatomaceous earth (DE)

Animal pests

(use tightly closed containers)

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How Long Will My Seeds Last?

It depends…

Long lived (> 5 years - in general) :

Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,

celery, cucumber, eggplant, melon, radish,

rutabaga, spinach, squash, and turnip

Medium lived (3-5 years - in general):

Bean, beet, broccoli, carrot, leek, pea,

pepper, pumpkin, and tomato

Shorter lived (1-2 years - in general) :

Corn, lettuce , onion, parsley, parsnip

Germination Considerations

Germination rates

will always decline

over time

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How To Estimate Germination Rate

Place 25 seeds on

wet paper towel Cover with wet

paper towel, roll

In plastic bag +

holes → 75°

Count at day 6:

23/25 = 92% GR

Check daily:

1st count – day 7

2nd count – day 14

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Where to Find Heirloom Seeds

Existing local seed swaps (e.g., Washington Gardener

Magazine Seed Exchange; Master Gardeners)

Your own seed circle of Master Gardener members

Seed Savers Exchange – www.seedsavers.org

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange -

www.southernexposure.com/

Seeds of Change - www.seedsofchange.com

Territorial Seed Company www.territorialseed.com/

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Resources on Seed Saving

Ashworth, Suzanne. Seed to Seed

Bubel, Nancy. The New Seed Starter’s Handbook

Deppe, Carol. Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties

Rogers, Marc. Saving Seeds

Turner, Carole. Seed Sowing and Saving

Rowe, Jack. http://howtosaveseeds.com - Vegetable

Seed Saving Handbook

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Final Thoughts: 1

Check references to see how your seeds

should be saved

To be sure your seeds breed true use open

pollinated or heirloom varieties

Consider starting out with a self pollinating

plant

For cross pollinating plants grow one variety

and share with other seed savers!64

Final Thoughts: 2

Select seeds from healthy and multiple

plants, from those producing the best

vegetables and flowers

Learn to recognize plant diseases since some

can be transmitted in seeds

Learn what mature seeds look like for the

plant seeds you wish to harvest

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Final Thoughts: 3

Remember to always LABEL your seed

rows, drying plates, and seed containers

As Master Gardeners we can encourage and

educate other gardeners about the Why and

How of seed saving

Benefits of Saving Seeds

Engage in the cycle of life

Preserve heirloom varieties

Encourage genetic diversity

Develop new varieties

Save money

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Digging Deeper

Exploring the science

behind gardening

All topics welcome

Not just for scientists -

any MG welcome

A fun relaxing discussion about all those

gardening questions you always wanted to ask

Participating in the research project to test

heat tolerant vegetable varieties!

Contact Janet - janet@goldray.com

Ref - UMaine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin #2750 KM

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Master Gardeners Encourage Seed Saving!

Montgomery County Fair – MG Demo Garden – August 2011

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This program was brought to you by the

Master Gardener Program of Montgomery County,

University of Maryland Extension.