Why consider seed saving?

There are a few reasons people should save their own seeds.

To preserve the characteristics of the plant that you like. Mass-market seeds are bred for uniform ripening, long shipping distances, and perfect appearance this is often done at the expense of taste, nutrition, and staggered ripening which prolongs your harvest window. A lot of heirloom varieties are no long available in-stores and some varieties have even been lost entirely already!

To preserve biodiversity is another reason to seed save. 75% of food biodiversity has become extinct in the past 100 years. Each variety lost means less genetic variability in our food. Less genetic variability means a reduced adaptability on the plants part to be resistant to stress diseases, like a changing climate. Seed saving, and even further rare seed saving, encourages diversity simply by preserving varieties.

(Pickling cucumber seeds) To retain control of our food supply is another important reason for me. Control of the seeds is the key to control the food supply. Saving your own seeds resists the monoculture that has been created of seed and food plants. It also helps to preserve our rights to saving seeds. Many of us have become dependent on the commercial seed industry, whose hybrids are often patented. Hybrid seeds can be saved but a hybrid plant grown from the seed will not bear true to the parent plant. You might get one plant that produces well and another plant that doesn't produce much. The results are unpredictable and for people who are growing the majority of their own produce this makes it very hard to risk getting plants that will not be high producers. But if hybrids are you can get to start with then in encourage you to try it and keep from the prolific producers for the following year. We all have to start somewhere! Keeping your own seeds will make you more self-reliant and empowered. I can remember back in late winter-early spring of 2020, there were many people who couldn't get orders of seeds in. People were talking about it all over the internet, with the way the world is going currently I think everyone should at least start dabbling with seed saving. Even if you cannot achieve a setup to keep everything separated, plants that cross pollinate will still produce seeds that will grow plants, they will just be like a hybrid seed and wont produce true to parent plant offspring.

(Bush bean seeds) Last reason which is also one of the most important reasons! To develop and preserve strains that are adapted to your own growing conditions! The best local and regional foods will be grown from seed varieties that were bred for that region. If you want specific strains that are most adaptable to your climate conditions, you will need to research and then order heirlooms breeds in your area or from as similar growing zone to get started on that quest. Then keep your seeds and over the years you will be helping to develop plants that will thrive in your gardening zone. Open pollinated plants that are adapted to local conditions are more likely to survive traumatic experiences with weather changes or diseases, so you will be helping to preserve not only these seed varieties but also your own reliance in your garden produce!

(Watermelon seeds)

In the long run saving your own seeds can save you money. But if your just getting into seed saving I would pick one or two things you plan on planting and research what you will need to do to save from those plants to prevent cross-pollination (or not if your okay with crossing) and try to save enough seeds to last you a few years worth of gardening with them. You can also trade your saved seeds with other seed savers to get new varieties in your garden.

Saving seeds can be fun and the process can be satisfying. Watching your seeds mature to plants and then back to seeds is an easy and rewarding way to experience a complete cycle of nature, from seed to seed. It's also great for life-cycle science if you homeschool!

(Radish seeds in photo) Here is a list of the easiest seeds to save if your looking for a good starter seed saving plant. Amaranth, Arugula, Asparagus, Barley, Basil, most Beans, Buckwheat, Canola, Chickpea, Chives, Coriander (cilantro), Corn, Cowpea, Dill, Endive, Flax, Ground cherry, Lentil, Lettuce, Mustard, Oat, Orach, Parsley, Peas, Peanuts, Radish, Rhubarb, Safflower, Sorghum, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunflower, Tomatillo, Tomato's with a short cycle, Triticale, Wheat, and Wheat Durum.

Pick a favorite or two from the list, get the order or bought, and try your hand at seed saving next year!

(Garden box with a net covering to prevent cross pollination)