FS 220 " Reprinted May 2003
$1.00
Collecting and Storing Seeds
from Your Garden
D. Hatch
One of the first requirements for Beans, peas, soybeans
growing a successful garden is finding
1. Leave pods on the plant until they are
good seed from plant varieties that have
 rattle dry.
been adapted to your area. Many
2. Watch the pods carefully because
companies provide such seed. When you
some varieties split and scatter the
calculate the value of the food you grow,
seeds when they are dry.
you will find that high-quality seed is a
3. Pick dried pods and place them in a
bargain.
1. With careful observation, note the
well-ventilated area at room tempera-
At some time, though, you may want
blossoms that will open the follow-
ture. When the pods are completely
to collect, store, and plant seed from
ing day. They have a light yellow
dry, remove the seeds.
your own garden rather than buy the
color and a distinct pointed tip.
seed. This fact sheet describes how to
4. To control possible weevil infesta-
2. In the evening, select male and
save seeds from a variety of plants.
tion, place seeds in a freezer for 24 to
female flowers on the same plant.
30 hours.
With a paper clip for small flowers
Collecting seeds
Lettuce
or a rubber band for larger flowers,
Don t save seeds from vegetables or
Lettuce seeds are more difficult to
prevent the flower from opening.
flowers labeled  hybrid. Seeds from
collect, but you can save them.
Flowers open only early in the day.
hybrid varieties produce a mixture of
1. Leave a plant or two to produce a
3. In the morning, pluck the male
plant types, most of which are inferior to
seed stalk.
blossom and touch the cluster of
the parent. Many varieties could be
pollen (called anthers) to the center
2. After the plant blooms and the flower
hybrids but may not be designated as
of the female flower (called the
forms a miniature  dandelion head,
such.
stigma).
gather the seeds.
4. Close the female flower again so
3. Separate the seeds from the chaff by
Seeds easily saved
bees can t get in.
rubbing them with your fingers.
Tomato
5. Tag the blossom.
1. Save seed from the fully ripe fruit of
Seeds difficult to save
the desired tomato plant.
6. Grow the fruit to maturity for the
Vine crops: cucumber, melons,
2. Squeeze the seeds onto a paper towel desired seed.
squash, and pumpkins
or a piece of screen.
The fruit must be very ripe for seeds
It usually doesn t pay to save these
3. Leave the seeds at room temperature
to germinate correctly. Cucumbers must
seeds. Without controlled pollination,
until they are thoroughly dry.
be entirely yellow, and squash and
these crops cross with other varieties
Pepper pumpkin must be thoroughly mature.
and sometimes other types. Muskmelons
Select a mature pepper, preferably
Separate the seeds from the fruit flesh
do not cross with cucumbers, however.
one turning red, and allow it to turn and dry them at room temperature.
You can control pollination in your
completely red before extracting the
Biennials: carrot, beet, onion,
garden, but it requires careful attention.
seeds. Place seeds on a towel or a piece
and cabbage family
First, you need to distinguish between
of screen until they are thoroughly dry.
Biennials are questionable for seed
male and female flowers. Male blossoms
Eggplant, husk tomato collection. It may take considerable
are on a longer stalk and do not have a
(groundcherry), garden huckleberry effort to carry over the plant root from
miniature fruit at the base as do female
Separate seeds from the mature fruit
the first season to the second year when
blossoms.
and dry thoroughly at room temperature. seed stalks form. Many members of the
Originally written by Duane Hatch,
former Extension agent, Lane County,
Oregon State University. Revised by
N.S. Mansour, Extension horticulture
specialist emeritus, Oregon State
University.
cabbage family intercross and also can For more information
Storing seeds
cross with native wild crucifers such as Many OSU Extension Service
Keep seeds in a labeled container or
mustard, cress, radish, or turnip. publications may be viewed or down-
envelope in a cool, dry place where they
loaded from the Web. Visit the online
are protected from insects. Storage life
" Carrots cross with the prevalent wild
Publications and Videos catalog at
of seeds varies widely. Here is a guide:
carrot. Select desirable beet or carrot
http://eesc.oregonstate.edu.
roots and keep them cool and moist,
" Short-lived seeds (1 2 years): corn,
Copies of our publications and videos
perhaps buried outdoors in sand. In
onion, parsley, parsnip, pepper
also are available from OSU Extension
early spring, plant the roots in an
" Intermediate seeds (3 4 years):
and Experiment Station Communica-
uncrowded area of the garden because
asparagus, bean, broccoli, carrot,
tions. For prices and ordering informa-
they grow very large.
celery, leek, pea, spinach
tion, visit our online catalog or contact
" Keep onion bulbs cool and dry during
" Long-lived seeds (4 5 years): beet,
us by fax [phone]), e-mail
the winter, then plant them in early
chard, cabbage family (Brussels
([e-mail]), or phone
spring.
sprouts, cauliflower), turnip, radish,
(541-737-2513).
cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, musk-
After spring growth, seed heads form.
melon, pumpkin squash group,
When heads are quite dry, gather the
tomato, watermelon
mature, plump seed before it falls to the
ground, and complete the drying at room
An ideal way to prepare seed for
temperature.
long-term storage is to place seed
packets in a jar, seal the jar tightly and
place it in a refrigerator or freezer. To
Flower seeds
help absorb moisture, place a small,
You can save many flower seeds,
cloth bag filled with dry, powdered milk
though crossing some varieties can
beneath the seed packets in the bottom
cause deterioration from the original
of the jar. Use about 1D 2 cup of dry milk
over time.
from a recently opened package.
" Gather mature seed pods (stock and
poppies) or seed clusters (zinnia,
Test germination
strawflower).
To test seeds for germination before
" Leave sunflower heads on the plant
planting:
as long as birds don t bother them.
1. Moisten two or three layers of paper
When the top of the blossom sepa-
towels.
rates from the seed, or birds start
eating the seeds, cut the head and
2. Place 25 to 50 seeds on the towels
finish curing the seed in a warm,
and roll the towels loosely. Place
ventilated area. You also can eat
them in a plastic bag.
seeds or use them as bird feed after
3. Keep the towels in a warm place such
the seeds dry.
as on a kitchen counter or on top of a
water heater.
4. Some seed, such as radish, germi-
nates in 2 or 3 days. Peppers can take
10 to 14 days. Observe the seed at
2-day intervals to determine the
degree of germination.
© 1999 Oregon State University. This publication may be photocopied or reprinted in its entirety for
noncommercial purposes.
This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June
30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and Oregon counties.
Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status,
disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status as required by Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Revised January 1999. Reprinted May 2003.