This ‘age-old’ practice is easy, satisfying and a lot of fun and there are quite a few herbs and vegetables in our garden from which we can save seeds. The easiest varieties to start with are the following:
- Tomatoes
- Capsicums
- Pumpkin
- Beans
- Peas
- Parsley
- Rocket
- Basil
It is important to save seed only from open pollinated plants, commonly referred to as heritage or old-fashioned plants, which are more likely to produce seeds that will grow into plants resembling their parents. What is equally critical is to save seed only from the most vigorous plants with the most delicious fruit.
The seeds from plants like lettuce, parsley, rocket and basil, which are already dry, are simple to save. It is basically a case of removing them from their shells/capsules and storing them in an envelope somewhere cool and dry. With fleshy seeds you can soak the pulp off overnight, then wash, strain, dry and store. Or you can just squeeze the seeds directly onto paper towel and let dry out. Store in an envelope in a cool dry place and when you want to plant the seed just cut of a piece of the paper towel with some seeds attached.
Individual paper packets of different seeds can be stored in tightly sealed glass containers in a cool dry place.
But make sure to label your seed envelopes clearly with name and date or you may end up with some surprise plantings next year.
Yarra Plenty Regional Library has quite a few helpful books on this subject
- Beginning Seed Saving for the Home Gardener - Jim Ulager
- Heirloom Vegetable Gardening: a master gardener's guide to planting, seed saving and cultural history - William Woys Weaver
- Seed Saving - Caleb Warnock
Gardening Australia also has a useful fact sheet.
Here are some helpful videos that give a few interesting techniques for seed saving.
Successful Seeds workshop by Sustainable Macleod
Saving Seed from Tomatoes
Saving Rocket seeds