How to SAVE SEEDS: Seed saving TIPS and EXAMPLES

[@stephaniehicks8682]

My grandma taught me to keep seeds in old prescription bottles. They're designed to keep out light and moisture! I wrap the store bought seed packets around the bottle to keep the planting instructions.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

That's a great idea!

[@karenhasel9908]

@@GrowingInTheGarden can I save seeds from Armenian cucumbers? Am growing zucchini and acorn squash also.

[@nan1779]

That's genius!

[@breaker6900]

Effing genius!!!

[@tracycrider7778]

Love this!

[@SM-fe1dh]

How refreshing to hear someone who speaks in full sentences, without crutch words such as ‘like’, ‘you know’, and ‘you guys’. Thank you, Ma’am; you are a delight!

[@TaxiRED]

I'm a newby at saving seeds, since i've been off work with severe depression i've took to sorting out my garden, its such a therapy to me, in the past week ive learnt about saving seeds for next year, i've already saved some poppy seeds, but i've deadheaded some plants and binned them where i didn't realise i could have saved the seeds until now.. i will now be leaving them until i can save some seeds...Thank you :) x

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

You're welcome. Saving seeds is very rewarding, best of luck to you!

[@freakinfrugal5268]

A year later, I hopr you are feeling better. HOw's the garden this year?

[@joanrepenshek2991]

Hey I am almost 70 but dont even bother with cherry tomatoes I got maybe 12 from 1 plant on a deck

[@joanrepenshek2991]

Maybe you could give me names of certain types ?

[@br.samuel4754]

You are right. Gardening is a goldmine and a therapy. I save seeds also from difficult sorts. And year after year your knowledge is also growing. I wisch you a happy life and succes and fulfilling gardenyears

[@margaretchurch7718]

I wished everyone would make their videos like you did you didn't talk about everything just straight to the point

[@cass77788]

i am like you i started gardening in my 20s my first flower was a zinnia!! i am 63 now and still going strong, love your video, how informative!

[@SeattlePioneer]

> That's very charming! What particular plants or seeds do you like to grow or save? What about zinnias?

[@elainejohnson6488]

I’m sure saving seeds was the norm back in the day. Such a good practice we moved away from. Sharing with friends and checking some out at the library.....love it!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So true!

[@ralsharp6013]

Remembering the ancestors

[@wisdomandlove1661]

@@GrowingInTheGarden i am so happy for you that you prefer heirloom seeds.

[@margareth1504]

Thats so lovely, i think my own daughter became hooked on gardening too via the beauty of the marigolds, their many seeds and how they regenerated, their many strengths, and vivid colours. She decided to scatter the seeds around just to see the magic of flowers popping up in random places around our garden, and enjoyed excitement of knowing it got there from the seeds she had sprinkled there before. Since then gardening is one of her favorite things to do.

[@Beeplabeep]

I love my local seed library! We even do some events through out the year to swap seeds, bulbs, ect. Such a great resource.

[@CarAds4U]

Thanks Angela. Your video is jam-packed with good information, with an easy to comprehend presentation. You're a great example of how to craft a video that is time efficient and very helpful. Would that others learn how to do the same. Spring is only four months away. Yay!!!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thanks so much!

[@bergannon6585]

Spring is only 4 months away, love your positivity. Cheered me up no end.

[@vandthebees9249]

Harvested my first seeds this year! Marigolds, calendula, batchelor’s buttons and cosmos. Excited to spread the wealth. 🌸

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Wonderful!

[@simplywildbysarah]

I've been seed saving for a while so I'm not a beginner but always wanting to learn more and this was the best video I've ever seen it was clear the pictures where great and it was very inclusive thank you

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@SeattlePioneer]

I bought a packet of seeds for leaf lettuce 15 years or so ago for a dollar or so. I just had breakfast on the distant offspring of those lettuce seeds this morning! It's really satisfying to see how much seed you can save. I have an issue with my lettuce plants bolting, so I plant additional seeds every few weeks. Of course, the bolting plants produce a lot more seed!

[@jenniferw8963]

Yellow/Gold Marigold was the first seed I saved as well! I have never paid for flower seeds or seedlings since! :) Since then I have saved: marketmore cucumbers, various tomatoes, okra, tokyo long scallions, green beans, chiles, etc..

[@dianegreiner4054]

One of the best videos I've seen on this topic! Great information!!! I'm saving this for reference. Greetings from Michigan! 😊🌷💐

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful! Hello from Arizona.

[@sararampton654]

Amazing! Your short video taught me everything I know to get started saving seeds-thank you for this information!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iandavis3599]

Awesome information Angela! I never thought about the paper wicking the moisture out. I just harvested my marigold seeds last week and the only bag I had was paper. Its rare I make a good move like that on accident, haha. I just checked on the seeds and they're completely dry and smell sweet.

[@SN-sz7kw]

Saving marigold seeds is still my favorite seed saving activity. Even though I don’t grow them as much. Everything about it takes me back & gives so much satisfaction. 💗

[@catc449]

Perfect time of year to start thinking about harvesting seeds for next year!

[@bandgeekforlife406]

I somehow didn't notice until now that you're in Mesa- I'm in Mesa! I'll have to recommend this channel, in particular, to my sister-in-law. She grew up mostly in Alabama and despairs of being able to grow a lush garden out here in the desert. They just bought their first house and she's basically terraforming their backyard, so I'm sure she'll appreciate the referral! :D

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thanks so much!

[@whiskymann1783]

Thank you, very informative...will certainly help me in my seed saving...I have had poor luck with 'wet' seeds...tomatoes and cucumbers...this will help me immensely....again, Thank You....have wonderful weekend...Peace

[@janetbransdon3742]

Hi look up Doug and Stacey growing tomato from seeds like the Amish... it is fantastic and so easy. Cheers.

[@carlabower6735]

So lucky this was one of the first and best videos I came across!! I have been wandering through the woods locally here in my mountain town looking at all the native wildflower varieties wondering how to save some seeds. I'll have to wait till the dry on the plant is seems! Thank you again for the concise information.

[@careymetz9131]

This is the BEST video on seed saving I've found! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with so many others. Clear explanations and close up pictures of the seeds, very informative. I got in a car accident 3 years ago and before then I was very active. I was an avid hiker, very adventurous and thrill seeking, I never stopped going. For the first year I was bed bound and very depressed, for the second year, I tried walking a bit but it wasn't the same, and now I'm a homebody, doing my art and totally obsessed with my garden and indoor plants. I've been saving seeds since last year, I use a drying rack, and the paper bag method. My problem has been identifying what exactly the seeds are on some plants, and when I try to look it up, it's impossible to find! The pictures are either too blurry, or too small, or not clear as to what part is the seed. So thank you, thank you, thank you, for being so thoughtful!!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I'm so glad the video and gardening have been helpful. Keep it up!

[@dgreenidge1076]

I always save in paper bags then transfer to glass jars, now I seldom buy seeds.Thank you so much.

[@rf7788]

This video was SO helpful!! Best video on gardening I’ve seen!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So nice of you, thanks.

[@mydogisawesome100]

I started saving my seeds, last year. So fun and rewarding! Always enjoy watching your videos!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Wonderful!

[@nikkiluvssf]

Incredibly helpful video. Thank you sooooo much!

[@evileva39]

I saved these every year that is how I feel up my planters and my garden and my flowerbeds and they always look beautiful what are you pill bottle I like your idea of using a canning jar I will try that this year thank you so much for sharing

[@Laurie_in_Maine]

Just left a video how-(not?)-to that showed seed saving from cut flowers in a vase. That just goes against every instinct I had about this. Dried on the stem and just before they explode seems more intuitive... Enjoyed your presentation and some of the comments were helpful too!

[@rayeeskouchay6914]

Nghe Phúc hát mà nước mắt rơi mãi ....quá nhiều cảm xúc ùa về, quá nhiều kỉ niệm. Cảm ơn Đức Phúc thật nhiều, giọng hát anh ấm tựa nắng mùa Thu vậy.

[@freakinfrugal5268]

WONDERFULLY HELPFUL, THANK YOU! Are there seeds that need to spend time in the freezer to mimic having been outside for the winter??

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Yes. Check the seed packet - it should tell you. If you saved the seeds look online to see if it requires vernalization.

[@freakinfrugal5268]

@@GrowingInTheGarden Oh that's an excellent word - vernalization. Like the vernal equinox. Thank you!

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@freakinfrugal5268

[@Cuarandera]

Thank you for this video. I learned so much, probably more from this video than the dozen on seed saving I've watched before it. it's informative, comprehensive without being overly complicated or diluted with too uch extraneous info, yet still engaging enough to keep my attention.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So nice of you, thanks.

[@jackiemartin2874]

This is the first year we’ll be saving seeds from our garden. Thanks for all the tips! Lol! What a combination: Armenian cukes and cantaloupe! Ick!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Right?!?

[@MrMrHammett]

After watching video, I know to get rid of the seeds from my sugar baby watermelon, because the were all bunched with my cucumbers, cantaloupes, honey dew melons, and tigger melons. I don't know what I would have had. They were all flowering at the same time and some vining on top of each other ...out of control. ..lol

[@MrMrHammett]

I just might plant one on the other side of house just to see what comes up...lol

[@waykeeperfarmandnerdery]

I loved seeing the photos of each of these, because sometimes you're just not quite sure if the seeds are ready on the wildflowers!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GreenfieldsHomeplace]

This is so true. I also got hooked on marigold seeds. I think about all of the ‘seed opportunities’ that I missed all those years in the past! I’m just glad I know better now. Like you, I just couldn’t believe how many seeds came from my own plants. It’s like I can’t stop now and I have so many other seeds now since starting my garden last year. Oh, and I also had a ‘Frankenmelon’ when I grew two different melons next to each other. So many things to learn and I love gardening more than I ever thought I would. Thanks for this great video!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Wonderful. Best of luck to you!

[@drtek1329]

Excellent demonstration and video. You are a wealth of knowledge, Angela. Thank you!

[@GmamaGrowz]

I enjoyed your seed saving tips and I've been really enjoying saving seeds 🤩 Thanks for sharing!

[@Globally1201]

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS GOOD INFORMATION!!!😊👍🏽 I'VE BEEN SAVING SEEDS FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW AND NOW I'VE GAINED MORE INFORMATION ON IT!!!😃👍🏽🙋🏽‍♀️🔥🙏🏽👑✝️📖🔥

[@coryheckler2354]

Thank you...GREAT INFO on saving seeds! I am a novice gardener. Again, thank you!

[@HOPEbus]

Great video , I’m taking it all in Thanks for sharing

[@sherryroberts7716]

Thank you, my dear! I have been gardening probably 30 years before you were born! LOL BUT you taught me something today and I thank you!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I'm sure there is plenty you could teach me. Thanks for watching!

[@sherryroberts7716]

@@GrowingInTheGarden You're cute, thanks!

[@elchefreedom5063]

Angela, I love you without knowing you. Thx for your efforts, thoughts and love for gardening. 😍🥰😘

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So nice of you, thanks.

[@glendineevans1467]

Thank you for these great seed saving tips!

[@TheFatTheist]

This year was my first year saving seeds. I saved arugula, radish, and some basil.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Wonderful

[@PeterMaddison2483]

It amazes me... Looking back now. Were told to 'dead-head' flowers. Now I know why. The garden centres don't want un to save our money, but spend it at their garden centres.

[@marjorieschaefer7392]

Dead-heading usually encourages more flower production so the plant blooms longer.

[@tanyapayzant5261]

Thank you so much for all this information. I love to save seeds.

[@beltoftruth56]

Great instructions for seed saving

[@danielrosas5685]

THANK YOU ANGELA FOR THE LECTURE. VERY IMPORTANT TO LEARN AND TO SAVE. SELF POLINATING.. HAPPY GROWING

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenniferpepler5843]

Some of the seed collecting was to vague for a new gardener. I didn't know what part is the seed as you rolled the heads in your palm. Also, what do you mean by fermenting the tomato and cucumber seeds? I was confused by this. This is likely a great video for people who have some idea on seed collecting and just need a rough idea of where the seeds are to collect. I need a bit more info but will bookmark this video because it will likely come in very handy once I have a better idea of how to collect seeds and what parts are the actual seed and what can be discarded. Thanks for the large variety of seed collecting! Still a great video!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

There is more information in this blog post that may be helpful: growinginthegarden.com/how-to-save-seeds/

[@jenniferpepler5843]

@@GrowingInTheGarden Great!! Thank you so much, I will check it out!!

[@shirleyk623]

@@jenniferpepler5843 if you want to see how to ferment tomato seeds, watch The Midwest Gardener. He just did a video today on fermenting and saving tomato seeds.

[@caroldragon7545]

I know it goes against the rules, but I have saved tomato, squash, and cucumber seed successfully, by just letting the very ripe fruit dry up, then crumbling the seeds out of them. They have remnants of the fleshy part dried on them, but it doesn't interfere with germination when I plant them.

[@jenniferpepler5843]

@@shirleyk623 Great! Thank you so much Shirley K, I will check it out!!

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

For seeds like tomato or cucumber an easy way is to scrape the seeds and gel stuff into a jar or glass. Fill with water and let sit a day or two or more if needed, cover with a coffee filter to keep out fruit flies. As it ferments the viable seeds become separated and fall to the bottom. I just poor off the chunky stuff and floating seeds from the top of the jar, run more water in it and swish it around, let seeds settle and pour off again. 2/3 times and seeds are perfectly clean, then put that coffee filter in a mesh strainer and pour your seeds and water in the coffee filter, let water drain out and put filter and seeds somewhere to dry. Seeds don’t stick to coffee filters like they do to paper towels. Don’t forget to label, I just use masking tape, because trust me, you won’t remember if you have several things of seeds drying 😏

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thanks for sharing.

[@billieblake6227]

Thank you! Very straight forward and simple to understand💚 I really appreciate this as I have several custard cups awaiting separation this morning. I'll use your technique.

[@pitcherlegacy843]

Thank you for this. This is such an informative video. You covered so many types and ways to save seeds. I really love to collect seeds from flowers but have not had much success with fruits and vegetables. I tried to save squash seeds and ended up throwing them away because they were so emaciated.I will try again!

[@blueskyalldayeveryday]

Perhaps you could help me if you preserve seeds from flowers? 🙏 I want to save some wild rose seeds but, for the love of God, I can’t find information online on how to “store” the seeds properly and for how long they become viable. I don’t want to plant them right away or in the near future because I will be moving next year and want to plant them in the new place. Any advice?

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Blue Sky... better to take cuttings off Rose, not seed. It won't be true as cross pollinated.

[@blueskyalldayeveryday]

@@ME_MeAndMyBees Thank you!

[@jonathanrogers9961]

hehe, I planted green peppers next to jalapenos a few years back.... got spicy green peppers and super mild jalapenos.... learned that lesson.

[@billieblake6227]

☺️☺️☺️me too!🤦

[@shirleyharvey8143]

Just wanted to say Thank you for your help.

[@THT01]

Me too! That flower was given to me and I was hooked.

[@AhJodie]

Beautiful video, great ideas. I have used radish seeds to add a peppery flavor to things too, not just grow more radishes!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

That's a great idea!

[@whowereweagain]

Saving promiscuously pollinated seeds isn't a bad thing!! Its exciting! it allows the plants to adapt to their environment and you get to pick the best ones. Of course you should not allow cross pollination to maintain open pollinated varieties but dont forget that cross pollination is how we got our heirlooms and even species hybrid crops like oats, barley, peanuts, peas, rutabagas, the vast majority of citrus fruits, etc in the first place.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

You are right! It all depends on what your goals are. Good point.

[@busker153]

I am six days past my two year mark. On July 11, 2021 I stuck the bases of some Green Onions and Romaine Lettuce from the store into the worst dirt on earth. Ok, not that bad, but I am in the Sonoran Desert, and in a city to boot. Bad soil is truly the rule. Well, my ground is covered with mulch and woodchips (you do what you can with what you have, right?), and is growing a lot of cool things. I am turning my whole place (about 30' by 120' with a house and a back house taking up space) into a food forest! And, it is going wonderfully! This spring I am going to be planting Heirloom seeds of many things (one of each kind) to do some serious seed saving! It is time!

[@kenziejames13]

Keep in mind the Armenian Cucumber is technically a melon, hence why it was able to successfully cross-pollinate with a cantaloupe. Both of which are from the same species, Cucumis melo (can't write in italics). A normal Cucumber, squash, and cantaloupe (melon) won't be able to successfully cross pollinate with one another. Cheers for the info in this video!

[@billyandrew]

*Kenzie James* I might just be able to help you with your Italics issue. Before any word/s you want to Italicise, go into symbols on your keyboard/pad, then tap the underline key, (located under the number 5). Without leaving any space, go back to alphabet and type the word/s you want to Italicise and conclude, again, leaving no space, by tapping the underline key and _voila,_ job done. Any punctuation, however, such as I applied to 'voila', with a comma after the word, will have to be applied before the final underline. Make sense?

[@mikejollywalmartdriver]

Extremely helpful breakdown. Thank you very much now I just need to figure out how to ferment my seeds.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Here's a breakdown of how to do it on my blog: growinginthegarden.com/how-to-save-seeds/

[@plantsarevital]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences.❤

[@lisasanders9896]

This was such a fantastic lesson! You explain things so well 😊 Thankyou from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@vee5032]

I know I am watching this vide 4 weeks later, but love the information I will be watching this video many times 😁 still a beginner on gardening but willing to learn to save seeds. Thank you so much 😊

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidbennett9691]

Great advice on self and open pollinated seeds. But if you have space sometimes it's fun to try a few seeds from an open pollinated or hybrid variety just to see what you come up with. This year I planted a three-sisters bed with saved seeds which produced a variety of odd squash and gourds (all from a sugar pumpkin) and what looks to be three distinctly different types of corn. I live across the street from a community garden so lots of cross pollination. The beans, of course, are just the same beans I started with.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

That is a great point. Good idea.

[@ralsharp6013]

It took me awhile to understand that seed saving can only be done by heirloom. One day a friend explained what GMO meant... happy seed saving everybody. Iceberg lettuce $8 a head here at the moment

[@kimgordon3695]

😥 thanks Sonny Perdue & Whilehmina Gates... Decimation

[@ralsharp6013]

@@kimgordon3695 yes, very true💩

[@blueskyalldayeveryday]

Lettuce for $8? 😱 Where do you live? That is INSANE!

[@SeattlePioneer]

> I just had breakfast on a big green salad made from the leaf lettuce in my garden. I go out and tear off whatever lettuce I want and the RUN back in to make the salad! Well, I don't actually run, but you get the idea. Fresh!

[@lkosto]

This was the coolest video. Thank you for sharing!

[@bbtruth2161]

Great info. Thank you!

[@eliseelisabeth4126]

Merci pour toutes vos vidéos. Elles sont très instructives. J’aimerais tellement avoir les sous titres en français. Pour le stockage j’ajoute un peu de grains de riz. Cela les garde bien au sec

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Je vais examiner cela. Merci pour le tuyau.

[@carolbenson6524]

I do this for my neighbors....I put the seeds in plastic zip lock bags with a label. They love it!

[@MelissaM83]

I'm going nuts this year trying to learn how to recognize and save seeds!!! I feel like I'm going crazy with worry about the ones I got lol 🤦 this helps thank you

[@LB-vl3qn]

Excellent video, thank you! ~ Lisa

[@lorikaren7022]

I really appreciate your clear and informative videos! Your love for gardening comes through your smile! 🌹🌿🥰

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@mattiecopeland8741]

Thank you for this presentation.

[@juju25619]

One of the best video. I learned and understood a lot from this video. Thank you so much.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pnb3876]

Thanks for all your super helpful info, I’m a subscriber:)

[@diasporagardens4874]

Very detailed tutorial. thank you

[@Katy99941]

Thanks Angela I enjoy your video. Thanks for sharing.

[@4toes1nose]

Thank you

[@AlexandraWeber-z8o]

Very informative. Well done! I save my seeds, also, but have learned from your video. Keep up the good work and thank you!

[@vh6938]

Thank you for such a helpful video. It was so easy for me to understand, I am a newbie at any kind of gardening and appreciate your knowledge. Subscribed!

[@samanthaoliver6817]

Thx that was an awesome video you help me so much with my seed saving friend from Australia 🇦🇺 😊

[@vanessadaniel1882]

Yes! I totally learnt something new from your video🌺 🥒🥒I learnt how to save cucumber seed!! Thanks and I have subscribed

[@yolacintia]

Great video, it opened up a world for us. Please make a video about saving sunflower seeds for eating and planting next season.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Sunflower video coming next week! In the meantime here is a blogpost: growinginthegarden.com/how-to-grow-sunflowers/

[@davidledoux1736]

Great overview and introduction! There is true Freedom in having this skill to ensure future abundance for generations.

[@rohininandrajog6196]

Thanks for sharing this video it's really helpful

[@homelytales9758]

Hello nd lots of love from India!!..wonderful video nd I am glad I got so much to learn from you on collecting nd saving seeds bcoz I am addicted to anything with gardening.. Love it!! 😍

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Hello from Arizona!

[@carminaburana8]

Thank you! This video was very informative and clear

[@cathleendell8111]

So very helpful!!!! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kristinaginorio1344]

Fabulous lessons. My first saved seeds were also marigold.

[@dianam8596]

This video was everything!! Thank you so much from Perú 🙌💚

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ivybrandyn]

That cross pollination is incredible to look at though! Oh, the possibilities!!!

[@qflower4982]

Very helpful. Tks for hitting on all kinds of plants and veggies

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yes12337]

I used to collect seeds in CD cases and it worked great for small amounts

[@grandmaofthree897]

We have grasshoppers this year so I am trying to save seeds (mostly beans) before they are dry. I am hoping some will make it.

[@mariammohdhassan6493]

Thanks 👌

[@Davidg1t1]

Great video! Thank You for sharing this and in such a pleasant & detailed way

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Davidg1t1]

@@GrowingInTheGarden subscribed! 🌻

[@carol-us4xn]

Saving seeds is very important for planting foods and vegetables.

[@cesiahsatterlee3093]

Can I save and use seeds from grocery store cherries and farmers market peaches (non GMO)? Thx in advance. Your videos are great.

[@annettewhitmore4263]

I love saving seeds .

[@diesel9650]

Thank you for sharing about the seed library

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Any time!

[@judywilder3243]

Thank you this was very helpful!

[@mommadramapreps8668]

Your video is awesome. So informative dense. I'm definitely saving this one to take notes.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Awesome! Thank you!