Saving seeds
In growing a garden year after year, I find that I have accumulated many packages of Garden seeds. Going through the inventory, I realized that some seeds go back as far as 1996. Knowing that seeds don’t last forever, (well at least most seeds) I decided to check out the viability age for some garden seeds. If they’re too old the percentage of germination will be much lower, a waste of time and should be discarded. The chart below gives us the average viability age of seeds stored under “proper conditions” which means that seeds should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place with even temperature. You can store seeds in a small mason jar or air tight plastic bagswith a silica gel packet and seal. If you don’t have silica gel you can use dry powdered milk wrapped in a coffee filter. For long term storage seeds can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Bean: 3-4 years Beet: 6 Broccoli: up to 5
Cabbage: 4 Carrot: 3 Cauliflower: 4-5
Celery: 50% up to 8 Corn: 2-3 Popcorn: 50% up to 5-10
Cucumber: 5 Eggplant: 4 Gourds: 5
Lettuce: 6 Melons: 5 Onion: 1 Pea: 3 Pepper: 2 Pumpkin 6 Radish: 5 Spinach 3 Squash 6
Tomatoes 3-10 depending on variety Watermelon 6
If you are saving your own seeds, be sure your seeds are totally dry before storing and label each packet with a name, date and any other comment for next year. If you store seeds from F1 hybrids, unlike open pollinated seeds, they will not be true to the original plant .
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Cathy P.
When your lily has blossomed, and the seed pods have formed; do you harvest the seeds and put them in the freezer untill spring(?) or just plant them where you would like to see new plants next year? Does either or neither of these work? Thank You.
Comment by Cathy — 2/18/2007 @ 8:57 am
I love this site. Would you tell me how to save Black eyed Susan seeds from dried pods and how and when to replant them around the main plant I already have outdoors, I am trying to fill in spaces in the circle of them I have around my well cap… thanks again for your help…
Comment by Nancy Newell — 2/18/2007 @ 9:15 am
My Mom has beautiful poppies in her garden - what is the best way to get the seeds so I can plant my own for next year? I need step-by-step instructions as my Mom and I do not agree on how we go about this.
Comment by Nancy K — 2/18/2007 @ 9:19 am
I want to save seeds from summer flowers such as Morning Glories, Hollyhocks, etc. How and when do you do this? Thank you, Pam & Donna
Comment by Pam Loveland — 8/12/2007 @ 8:27 am
I need to know when and how to harvest trumpet vine pods. Also, I need to know how to plant them. What and how to store them for the New England winter.
Comment by Laurel Benoit — 8/19/2007 @ 9:35 am
Ola Fischer
I have a black current swirl datura that has bloomed very well this summer, but now the lower leaves are turning yellow. I put Miracle Gro timed released plant food on it in April or May. Should I add more now? Also, there are several seed pods on it. How and when do I collect the seeds? It is growing in a container, partly shaded, on my patio.
Comment by Ola Fischer — 2/21/2008 @ 3:49 pm
Christine S.
Are the seeds of a Japanese Lantern (Jack-O-Lantern ) plant found inside of the delicate orange flower of what looks like an orange cherry tomato? If so - the seeds are so tiny�what is the best way of drying them out? I would love to know more about this plant! Thank you.
Comment by Christine S — 2/21/2008 @ 4:03 pm