Yes I most definitely seed save! Not only do I save seeds to add to my collection, but at times I will even trade for seeds I dont have. But you need to make sure the seeds you save are from Heirloom type plants. Get a seed catalog, browse though it and you can probably find a lot of types that will grow well in your area.

 

Start with easy ones like tomato, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans. Anything open pollinated.

 

That is my biggest concern. Almost everything I grow, beans, carrots, onions, corn, melons, tomatoes, ect, ect, I grow several varieties. In most cases this results in cross bred seeds does it not?

I should have clarified in my initial post. I store a large number of seeds, just not typically seeds harvested from my own crops.

 

I do, I have some that go back several years,... yes I know viability goes way down... I do it for strain purity and back up. I think I have become an unintentional master cross breeder. That is something that cant be undone and I will probably make next year a start at zero and do everything from a reliable seller.

Make sure to research a bit as some plants require 2nd year growth to produce seeds(carrots), some require to be left in the pod membrane, others hard mature on the plant. I intentionally grow things like carrots, in 5 gal buckets just for seeds. That way I can move it around as needed.

It is an important step to learn as to not be dependent on suppliers, I have read a few threads here saying this year was tight on some seed companies.

 

It is an important step to learn as to not be dependent on suppliers, I have read a few threads here saying this year was tight on some seed companies.

It should go without saying that real survival/preparedness gardening requires seed saving to be part of the deal for that very reason... independence from commercial suppliers. And in my opinion, it extends to everything related to gardening from a preparedness mindset. I had a blog based off that premise, but it was apparently too hardcore of a concept for much of the prep garden community. A lot of people will be in for a gardening shock if the grid goes down.

 

For carrots seeds, just leave a few carrots in the ground. They will flower and set seeds the next year, and sometime around the end of summer the seeds will be ready to harvest.

I imagine if you do not harvest them in time then the seeds might drop to the ground? THAT much I do not know. Perhaps when the seeds look almost ready them the stem could be cut and then hung upside down so that the seeds could drop onto a sheet of newspaper or into a paper bag?

I often save my own tomato seeds. The tomatos I get that way have always tasted very good, though since I plant hybrid tomatos the offspring is not QUITE like the parents. Almost, yes, but not quite.

 

For carrots seeds, just leave a few carrots in the ground. They will flower and set seeds the next year, and sometime around the end of summer the seeds will be ready to harvest. .

That has been my bugaboo.... carrots. They typically freeze and rot if I just leave some in the ground. I’ve tried a few different methods, and all failed. But ironically, some I didn’t even realize I still had in the ground last year, came up on their own this year. I only plant heirloom, but these were a new variety last year I think, so maybe that had something to do with it.

 

Better save them , may be hard to get next year .

 

Start with a couple of easy crops this year, beans, tomatoes, etc... that you are already growing using open-pollinated seed (not hybrids). Add a few next year, and you will be saving most of your seed before you know it. It takes some time to learn the right way to do it for each crop, but it is worth it in the end to have your own seed supply of locally-adapted varieties.

My wife and I run the local seed library for our community. There is a thread in this subforum about it.

Here is a link to a basic seed saving chart:
https://www.seedsavers.org/seed-saving-chart

 

The trouble I run into is knowing which strains may be hybrids with junk seeds, and even how to go about it with some species.

There are a number of excellent books out there which contain the info on seed saving you need. Hopefully a North American member can recommend one. I have an excellent Australian one but the different common names would probably confuse you more than help you. Nearly every plant is different but it is easy enough with the right info. Plus it is very rewarding to save and grow your own seeds.

 

The best book I have found about seed saving is "Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth. It divides vegetables into their families and will tell you which varieties will cross-pollinate each other. It will also tell you the method of pollination, wind or insect. It also gives information on hand pollination, caging and distancing. For more information check out The Seed Savers Exchange.org.

 

CAW!

Lauph all yew wantz tew, butt, 4 for a buck dollar store seeds can bee added to your seed library..............

ymmv of course

 

The best thing about saving your own seeds is that after a few years they will 'acclimatize' to your area and you will have even better crops than with the original seeds.

I also would highly recommend "Seed to Seed".

 

Start with the larger seeded varieties; Beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, peppers, corn, etc. Select varieties marked heirloom or heritage, plant several varieties to start, then concentrate on a single variety that you like, fits your climate, soil type, yield and other qualities, and eliminate the ones that don't work out.

For instance, Blue Lake 274 bush beens are my 'go to' for freezing or canning green beans. I wouldn't bother with anything else. My soil, My climate.

Try an "odd ball" now and then. Tried a weird pea couple years back that was total waste of effort. You might try it and like it,YMMV.

 

I've just started seriously saving my own seeds this year. I did save some corn seed from last year, but I'm branching out more this year.

Just yesterday I worked on saving some seeds from this year's harvest of Roma tomato, Hale's Best cantaloupe and Cubanelle pepper.