How to save your own seeds with tips on storing them

[@Im-just-Stardust]

That's the cool thing about gardening, there are so many things to do, even off season. I struggle a lot in public so its very motivating for me to save seeds, do my own compost, and be as self sufficient as possible. Thanks Charles for another great video !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So true! And funnily enough, gardening has helped me to be myself in public, long story.

[@Hotshoe333]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig very true!

[@metubewot]

You are not alone friend.

[@dorion7215]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig The entire reason I watch your gardening videos is because you are *yourself*. Genuine, not puffed up with conceit. You tell the truth as you know it.

[@ml.5377]

I think seed saving is one of the most amazing and important things a gardener can do. I started shy with only lettuce, arugula and beets and now I save legumes, brassicas, potatoes, greens, alliums, etc. It is so rewarding and the whole learning process is wonderful. I even trade and sell seeds with great germination rate. A must try.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing!

[@briannadoff4051]

Thank you Charles, what wonderful work you do. You remind me very much of my Dad, who passed away a year before my little girl was born, now she is 1.5yo. He was an organic farmer of garlic and ginger (and anything he was inspired by) I thought my daughter would miss out on the connection I had with growing things - but with your help I have started growing my own garden! and it’s a joy to see my daughter eat snow peas in the garden and feel like my Dad would have loved to be with us. So thank you 💛

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ni Brianna, this is touching and I'm real happy to help 🌱

[@simplifygardening]

Great video Charles. More people should learn to save their own seed. So much better than buying them

[@itsmewende]

I find saving seeds to give away is just as much fun as gardening. It's sometimes amazing how many seeds you get from some things. This was a great one Charles. I actually don't mind giving the crosses a try, as Forrest Gump's mom said, "it's like a box of chocolates". Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It really is an amazing thing Wende

[@smalldairyfarmerirish]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I want to save seed from kale do you leave the plants flower collecting the seeds

[@robertling9872]

Thank you Charles for another beautiful and interesting video. By harvesting seeds ourselves, we keep costs low and preserve species for the future.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Robert, + gain independence

[@jimcrelm9478]

The DIYSeeds channel has an excellent series of videos covering most commonly grown vegetables. They cover taxonomy, pollination, risk of crossing, overwintering where applicable, gene pool requirements and harvesting methods for each plant. I think they complement this channel very nicely actually - an overview of the topic, some inspiration and a visualisation of the process, then more of a reference type resource for a specific crop.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for this Jim, I have put a link in the description

[@jeshurunfarm]

Nice uncle Charles. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@pamclark785]

Walking around the garden wondering what Charles is planting right now. Always an inspiration to me thanks to you and your gardeners.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful, nice to hear Pat

[@chaddamp2894]

I've saved elephant garlic and have grown a fantastic crop this year,thanks for teaching me so much Charles ! An old friend of mine told me to save brocolli seed,we didn't know the variety so we called it Brians brocolli after him.We sowed some seed that was 4 years old and it germinated within 4 days !!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! And a lovely memory.

[@nickhammersonrocks]

LAST YEAR THIS VIDEO WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY WORTHLESS TO US !!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT THANK GOD WE ACTUALLY GREW SOMETHING THIS YEAR SO WE'RE FINDING IT QUITE HELPFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@sashak-r6621]

Thank you, perfect timing, I was just today saying to my husband maybe we should stop saving seed because it takes up so much space our high tunnels feel overwhelming (even though I never feel good pulling plants before they've had a change to make seed), so it was really good to see your germination comparison, and your more organized way of growing out for seed

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to hear Sasha!

[@frankbarnwell____]

Thanks. Possibly the best straight forward explanation of hybrid tomato seed saving results on yt.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🍅 thanks

[@smas3256]

Reading the comments here. In in zone 6b. The seeds I saved from bell peppers all past the test. Germinated between paper towels then into plastic bag. Saved purple basil too need the test. Doing baby steps learning. Afraid of failure Great teacher and so encouraging. Don't even want to say the $$'s we spent a few weeks ago for seeds. Yes it is worth it to try others.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go you!!

[@stevenbp101]

Hi Charles, This is the video I’ve been waiting for. Thanks, hey I bought one of your calendars for this year back in January and let me tell you when I got to July I was amazed at how beautiful your garden is from July’s picture. God bless y’all. (Old guy from Arkansas)🇺🇸

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Awesome, thank you old guy, from another old guy!

[@hp-cs7mx]

Best fun in letting some veg go to seed is the birds it brings in to the garden, such entertainment.

[@jennyjohnson9012]

I always try to save my seed and make my own compost. It all adds to being as self sufficient as possible and I get a great deal of satisfaction from it. Enjoyed the video as always Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good stuff Jenny

[@maryboehme420]

Love your seed storage shelf. By month, brilliant!!

[@ajb.822]

Love this video ! On potatoes, now that you mention it, I remember I've heard or read that, but I grew up with us & my grandma up the road all typically planting the majority of our potatoes, from our own we still had leftover at that point. My grandma raised 8 kids, they had a big bin ( boxed in corner with it's front being boards you could remove as contents lowered) in their basement storage room which they filled with potatoes in fall. Potatoes were my favorite food as a kid, too.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow! Brilliant grandma.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Seed saving is so interesting. Please do more videos on this topic

[@kimallard225]

Hi Charles, found your video on collecting and drying ones own seed. Facinating. something I will be doing again this year. I wanted to save seeds in preperation for starting my first allotment. I kept seeds from a bell pepper we had enjoyed for supper. Kept the seeds for a couple of weeks on a tray to dry out. Then stored in used/clean yogurt pot covered with clingfilm in the back of the refrigerator until January. Then I removed from the refrigerator and started to sow these seeds by the end of Feb & end March, I managed two sowings 4 weeks apart. The result, I could have sold small pepper plants to our local plant nursery, I had that many. I'm getting what looks like a prolific volume of fruit from the plants. My first attempt of saving seeds seemed to be going to supply us for many months as I will freeze what we dont use or I dont give away. I felt so proud I'd done it... your video has given me the courage to try some other simple seed collections for next spring. Thank you for all your advice to novices like myself. x

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How impressive Kim, thanks for sharing 🌱

[@barbarastclair9429]

I thank you for explaining about why a large number is needed for strong seeds. You explained it well. Please keep these very informative videos coming. Thank you very much

[@charliehoos9773]

I started saving seeds last year and this year I am so impressed that those plants from home saved seed grew faster/stronger than store bought.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Your green thumb helped Charlie 🌱

[@squange20]

Another super video Charles. There are a lot of grateful people like myself who appreciate the time, effort and thoughtfulness you put into each video. The step-by-step and also showing us the end result. I can’t wait to adopt all these exciting ideas. This will be the first time I will be saving seeds, and like someone said, it will be good to share the seeds as well.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great and thanks

[@jennhillier4971]

I started saving seeds last year and find it so rewarding. I have a carrot that over wintered and had gone to flower, but only one, as disappointed as I am to learn I need many to cross pollinate I am thankful that I will not take up space in the future with less then ideal seeds in my small space 🙏 I'll just continue to enjoy the flower 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck!!

[@amandar7719]

Up until the year 2021, packet brassica seeds tended to contain hundreds of seeds. Fast track 2022, seed packets contain around 10-40 seeds for double the price! Glad I saved seeds years ago. A pain, but well worth it for germination and resilience!

[@nancymarshall188]

No kidding! My husband prides himself on finding cheap seed packets - seed packets containing 4 (count ‘em: 4) seeds!?!?

[@myrrhidian3166]

I'm so grateful that you've shared how many plants you need for genetic diversity in saving seeds, as I plan to save seeds next year from some of the more difficult veggies you mentioned: onions, beets and carrots. It can be frustrating to sow store bought seeds and end up with really poor germination. I sowed 300 onion seeds (packed for 2024) hoping for 240 plants, but ended up with 180. I ended up having to order a bundle of 60 plants, because it's now too late in the season to start more onion seeds. All of my onions are open-pollinated though, so I'm definitely going to try and save seeds next year, to be sown in 2026.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I hope that goes well for you. Yes onion seeds do not store well! It is so frustrating.

[@JiggliJane]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge, I don’t know how you find the time but I’m very grateful. My beetroot has grown to about 4 foot tall (full of tiny flowers)& this video has come in the nick of time as I wasn’t too sure what to do next. Before I crawl into bed, I’d best go out on slug patrol - been throwing (launching them actually) into the hedgerows across the road. If they make it back alive, they deserve a few nibbles on my crops 😋 Thanks again for sharing your precious knowledge & time.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to hear Jane!

[@barbaramcintyre3046]

After my husband passed in January '20 I went into his greenhouse and tried to continue growing tomatoes like he did. Its been great therapy for me i really appreciate your tips. My daughter, granddaughter and I love the tasty tomatoes. Id like to grow more veg. We dont have anyone to ask for advice so we're learning by watching your videos. Im going to build a compost heap but I struggle a bit with some of the physical work. We also now keep hens on our little farm but Im not sure if the hen manure is always suitable. I need to do more research.

[@squange20]

Hen manure is very good mixed in with the other composting items like food scraps, grass, twigs, dry leaves etc. When you clean out the chicken coop, dump all the soiled wood shavings and manure into the compost. It enriches the compost. The physical work will make you stronger. I was a city person and never did much gardening, but now I love it, and all that physical work is paying off in terms of health and enjoyment. Charles’ videos are great for beginners and seasoned gardeners. Good luck with it all.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear! Yes it's excellent in your compost heap, glad you like the gardening

[@crabmansteve6844]

Your garden and property is absolutely stunning, I've been learning so much from you, thank you Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are very welcome Steve, thanks for saying

[@aneeqaaijaz6045]

Charles, Just wanted to say thanks for creating such amazing videos. Your videos helped me find my passion! You are an incredible gardener and teacher. Best, Aneeqa

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

My pleasure Aneequa and thanks for saying

[@MOz112]

Really interesting. It takes a lot of thought and space, basically. Just done RHS 2 and my lecturer nearly had an aneurysm when I told her I'd grown all my spuds from leftover shop-bought. They came up lovely though.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well done you!!

[@bettyperrin4251]

I had a potato plant that produced 5 or 6 seed pods!!! Never knew they did that. Only 2nd year growing them

[@MOz112]

@@bettyperrin4251 Same. You can see why tomatoes and spuds are in the same family, can't you. The pods looks like mini toms. I've saved some seed from them going to try it next season.

[@dimpletoadfoot8631]

Thanks for all your great videos, Charles! Hello from central North Carolina

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Jamie 💚

[@missthang4770]

Great tutorial! Thank you. I had no idea that brassicas and onions required more than one plant for good results! Your videos are always so enlightening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome!

[@chichestermaritime8174]

Hi Charles. Thanks for such an excellent video. I save French bean seed (Cobra) but as I live in a warm climate I have learnt that flea beetle can be a real problem with storage of all the pea and bean family, so I put into the jar, alongside the beans, dried pennyroyal. Other strong herbs will also work but pennyroyal seems to be the best for me. It grows wild here in S. Portugal so it's just a matter of going out and cutting some flowers to dry.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is an excellent tip and thanks, you're so right the storage is a whole 'nother story!

[@DaraRich]

In Germany we partially struggle with pea and bean beetles. After having the seed maximum dry, you can put it into the refrigerator for a week to let die off the beetle eggs (and maybe maggots). After that you don‘t worry about them any more. Even with bought seed you sometimes get them in🙈 I do so every year even if I don‘t see any infestation and it works well.

[@efyHealth]

Thanks so much for the details and making me aware of cross pollination and hybrid plants. I like the details around seed saving and keeping them to dry before storage.

[@pamschill7879]

Seed saving is a rewarding & beneficial part of gardening. Excellent video this one--bravo Mr D!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Pam

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Brilliant brilliant video, you are so kind sharing your hard work. This video is a very important part of our next generation of sowers and growers. I am sure a selective seed bank is very important to our future, especially the non evasive way you are doing it. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it Tee 💚

[@rhysjaggar4677]

I could supply the local council with enough marigold seed from just one plant! It's totally amazing how many seeds you get from one single plant in the autumn. It's about the easiest flower seeds to make that I've tried. Made some wild lupin seeds last year and will try germinating them this month - they are perennial plants but a few die off each year with droughts, I find. Cobra French beans and Cupidon dwarf beans are two I've saved for several years with very consistent results - the Cupidons in particular are usually totally dry by late August and you only need just over 1sqm to get 8 plants and masses and masses of seeds....

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes Cupidon is good for me too, best here in the tunnel. Nice thought Rhys, all the marigolds :)

[@rosee941]

It's only in the last 5 years or so that I realised that bought seed cannot be totally relied on to continue to be what you expected... my learning experience is the Black Russian tomato... It's not what it used to be... Seed saving is inconvenient with garden space and a lot of work but I greatly appreciate the feelings of satisfaction when they pop up happy and thriving in a seed tray. Because of floods here in Australia we have a shortage of lettuce (KFC is substituting cabbage in their burgers (!)) And I have about a kilo of lettuce seeds saved last Autumn.... yep... sitting on a gold mine!!!! 😀 Thanks for more great info Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Rose, thanks and this is interesting about Black Russian because I had noticed the same, even for some reason with my own saved seed. I don't like the sound of your weather! Great that you saved seeds anyway.

[@angelad.8944]

I am also quite keen on seed saving. Everywhere I go I find a flower or something to grab some seeds from.(Within the country I mean) I also grow a different squash every year so I can save great seeds without cross pollination issues. I still remember the year the zucchinis crossed with the spaghetti squash! I have success with chili peppers too , even the F1s. I am always amazed at the size of my seeds and how quickly they germinate. I do find tomatoes quite easy to save seed from. I just separate the seeds and mix them with some well water. I put them aside on the kitchen counter for a couple days to ferment, then I drain them and spread them out on a paper towel/napkin to dry out. I write the name right there on the napkin as they are drying. Then once dry, I put them in a little brown envelope and label it with the type and year it was saved. I think I have been able to save almost everything I grow now. I have been experimenting with Brassicas lately. The first experiment was buying some Gailan from the grocery store, sticking it in a container of water, letting it root and then planting it outside. I have been growing it every spring and fall ever since.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are a natural Angela!

[@tinnerste2507]

Hi I crossed zucchini with spaghetti squash on purpose this year to see what would happen because spaghetti squash grows exceptionally well for me and produces I'd guess 5x more than zucchini. I'd like to hear what your cross produced

[@angelad.8944]

@@tinnerste2507 It was many years ago but I remember there was variation. I do remember that more often than not the spaghetti squash didn't really have a lot of "spaghetti". The flavors were also off so I have made sure to not do it again.

[@tinnerste2507]

@@angelad.8944 thanks for answering! That's a shame as the spaghetti squash doesn't have a great flavour but it sure produces well. I saved the seeds from both plants but was going to mostly grow seeds from the zucchini fruit. Maybe I won't grow out as many plants as I planned to.

[@robertevans8024]

One excellent way to remove seeds from the plant is to put the dried plants in a burlap sack or pillow case and use a length of heavy rubber hose to beat the seeds loose. Works great for things like beans. Most of the seeds will pile up in the corner of the bag. A box fan can help separate the plant matter from the seeds.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great tip thanks

[@amandar7719]

Last comment, promise! It does make me smile when gardener youtubers proclaim the virtues of photograph boxes converted into seed storage organizers whilst advising how to save one’s own seed!!! My seed storage area is full of dried beans, dried peas, beet seeds, brassica seeds, tomato seeds, melon seeds and pepper seeds. It’s a shelf full of old jam jars and butter boxes! 😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Love this Amanda!

[@GARDENER42]

I'm saving seeds from early broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia) lettuce (Grenoble red), early peas(Douce Provence) & charlotte potatoes(as in the tubers) this year . The garlic I've grown this year is from sprouted supermarket cloves & I've no idea how to differentiate between hard & soft neck. French beans this year are from last year's home saved seeds, so it'll be interesting to see how they do. I happily buy Sungold seed, as the tomatoes are just so good compared to shop bought.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jennyjarrett1208]

You are such a delight to watch. You are always working so hard to give us all such good gardening information.. I know you work hard to get all these videos out to us. Just know we appreciate you very much. God is Good Northeast Arkansas USA

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much Jenny. Yes this one particular was a lot of work and even then we made a bad mistake with the wrong name for salad rocket! I've put a correction in the video description.

[@jennyjarrett1208]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I believe you are forgiven. Lol

[@stevennoble6677]

This was a great video. I hoped you would have said something about how long you can store Tomato seeds. I had an old Tomato seed packet (of Ailsa Craig) laying around, packed in 2015 with a sow by date of 2018. I took a chance and planted them this year (2022) and they have been growing just fine. I have also been experimenting with saving/growing seeds from shop brought vegetables. Last year I brought some spring onions, planted them in the garden, and used them for their shoots. They started flowering this spring, so I took some seeds from one flower and 50+ germinated! Since they were shop brought I was worried about them not being true to the original, but they seem to be regular spring onions so far. Their multiplication factor is surprising, at this rate I'll never have to buy onions again!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am very impressed by your spring onions Steven! And yes, tomato seeds do last a long time.

[@Hanni3Wanni3]

I've been using one of those little pop up plastic greenhouses to help keep seedheads dry when saving seed. Which seems to help

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Neat!

[@tuchacasalduas]

Thank you! This is a lot more complicated than I thought, lots to learn.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It's good to know before you commit!

[@mudoh2131]

Something to aspire too. I intend to start with tomatoes this year that would be so cool. Thank you

[@bethanyfields4706]

Thank you for the tips, Charles.🇺🇸

[@helenbizzotto8844]

Saving seed is definitely something I need to do more of. A lot of seed that I bought last year was diabolical. The germination rate was very poor. I thought I was doing something wrong until I spoke to many other gardeners. They had similar issues. But I also wondered if the compost was also a contributing factor. It was very inconsistent throughout. I bought a few different types.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm sorry to hear that Helen, and it's a double whammy! Two potential and common problems, such that one can't tell which is the actual problem! Or both!! So yes, saving seed is worthwhile

[@ratchaphumpolyiam5040]

I just love What you have done Form Thailand

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So kind thanks

[@natalielorenz7543]

Hi 👋 Natalie Bennett sent me and I have been really wanting to save seeds! So this is good timing!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Welcome Natalie!!

[@DaraRich]

Very nice, Charles! Thank you for showing! Last year I saved seed from french beans, white stemmed chard, leaks, wild rocket, herbs like parsley and some flowers wich are easier to save than most of vegetables.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A lovely mix Dara, and yes flowers are easier :

[@DaraRich]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig 😊thank you! It‘s a little bit of work but also real fun!

[@aina8318]

Interesting to learn more about cross pollinating plants and how that works.

[@judyjohnson1012]

Could you not put a tent over the onions to keep the rain off while they are drying? Very interesting video. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I saved lettuce seed this year and have already replanted some. I’m so excited about learning to save seed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Judy, I may cut them to pin under cover

[@vickigunnpermaculture1976]

I loved this. Congratulations on getting beetroot and carrot seeds to breed true! I've had that disaster with carrots and the wild varieties. That was so disappointing. I was so proud of myself, and then when I planted the next year, I got these sad little white roots! I've had beets and chard and spinach all cross pollinate. I don't mind that with the chard, but I wasn't happy with the beets. I was wondering if you isolate your squashes and cucumbers in order to save seed. Great video!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Vicki, maybe I was lucky... and I have not attempted squash yet!

[@vickigunnpermaculture1976]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Well, you're so skilled, I doubt it was just luck.

[@auntdello5286]

Thank you for sharing this info. I am interested in saving seed from my beets, chard and kohlrabi. For a few years now, I have been saving what you call the easy ones. I was planning on pulling the kohlrabi and beets here soon to put in zucchini. Now I have a better idea of how to go about it.

[@tenzinszabo9579]

I love these videos! Thankyou for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I'd never thought of the space dedication required for some seed saving

[@TopDingoMan]

Wonderful information as usual Charles. Thank you. Following you from New Zealand.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Awesome, thank you!

[@brendagamba7826]

The butterflies enjoying your plants

[@audreybarnes6527]

Generous and insightful ❤️💚💕. Always a pleasure to while away a bit of time here.

[@barbaramcintyre3046]

Thank you for the encouragement.

[@laurad2136]

Thank you Charles again for your videos. I have some leeks that have bolted this year so will experiment on the seeds. Can I just say that I loved to see your re-use of various plastic boxes for seed storage. It just shows your authenticity and the no-fluff approach to gardening. I do the same; any plastic tray is good for putting under the seedlings pots (some of these are reused shop bought plastic containers), any glass jar is fine for seeds and other storages/kefir milk/sourdough starter etc..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha thanks Laura 😀 and that sounds good!

[@MyQuaintCottage]

Great video. I enjoy saving seeds too. 🤗

[@milupas]

Glad to see that you are into seed saving! That's a topic I'm really interested in and find very challenging. But for sure I will dive into when I have more time and knowledge from you and other sources. Correct me if I'm wrong but (according to the answer you gave me on one of your courses some years back) you were in favour of F1 hybrids to get consistent results and (it seems to me) not so much now. Maybe you could make a video about F1 hybrids, gene pools, open pollinated seeds and all that gritty nitty? That would be fav! Keep it up!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear. Sometimes they have a place, mainly when seed companies have neglected to maintain older varieties, as with most Brussels spouse. Mostly I grow open pollinated plants. Yes a good idea.

[@gertrudenahn1343]

thinking of the our planet future ...f1 seeds always SCARE me so much, it's okay to grow couple of them for fun,experiments and variety but is good to do it wisely!! .Just hoping they will not displace heirloom seeds ever!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Gertrude, and I wish you success in your mission! Everybody actually needs to wake up a bit to things going on around them. We need to ask a lot of questions!

[@gertrudenahn1343]

​@@CharlesDowding1nodig That last one so true 💚! I am an art painter and one of the main thing in process of painting is asking my self questions, observe , ask, adjust.Every colour patch is a result of questions and answers............... More questions ...one day more answers and I can see how I improved

[@klaudiaw6562]

I let almost every kind of plant I planted to flower. It looks very nice. This year I have chard flowering. I hope I will save some seeds from it. I really like having so much seeds that I can just go around my garden and throw them randomly on my beds to let my garden faries do their magic. :) I did such thing this year with homesaved flowers and seeds I found in the kitchen (caraway, dill ect) and the result is just a-ma-zing! I love this kind of interplanting. I've got caraway growing everywhere and beautiful flowers in every colour popping up in between my crops. There's even one flower which overgrown my little cherry tree lol. It's also fun to explore and guess what plant is growing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚 that sounds fun!

[@KevinJames-uh6lp]

Thanks for sharing your energy and thoughts with us all 🥕🥕🪴🙏🙏🍷🍆

[@taharanaturals1763]

Such an informative video, it's so kind of you to share your knowledge. Great watching your videos always so inspiring. Love Homeacres, such a beautiful and tranquil place.❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks 💚

[@ximenaisabeljimenezgalindo9044]

Que adorable video, como siempre muy agradecida por tu enseñanza y las semillas me encantó esta lección tengo algunas semillas de mi pequeño jardín y otras que compre orgánicas, pero un poco triste estoy un poco delicada de salud y el frío que hace aquí es muy horrible muchas heladas 4 bajo cero y 11 como máxima, tendré que tener paciencia, gracias querido Charles por tu lindo video 🇨🇱🇨🇱🌷🌷🤗

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

¡Han arreglado el clima! Espero que te sientas primaveral pronto, gracias

[@michellekrantz888]

Great video! I was amazed to see the beets at seed stage! I had no idea. Fascinating! I've just gotten back to gardening in earnest last year and saved seed from a few things - Chinese red noodle beans being one of them. Those beans are so fun to grow and so tasty! I also had lots of different greens self sow in my raised beds this year which gave me a surprise early and delicious harvest! Some even overwintered as we had a milder than usual winter this year. Love your channel!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Michelle, nice to hear that

[@sandrinefresne6575]

Thanks for this video. I am saving scorzonera seeds , the flower seed head is gorgeous… a very fluffy dandelion . I save seeds from French lettuces Lilloise , Palatine and Lednicky . Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds good Sandrine!

[@tannisadam1946]

Thanks for the great video! I love to learn. Thanks for breaking it down. There is always uncertainty when collecting seed, how many plants are needed.

[@smsfmastergardeners]

I found that scarlet runner bean plants won't cross with Kentucky pole beans, but vice versa is true. I had numerous white runner bean seeds instead of the purple/black seeds!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is intriguing!!

[@juanmorenoolivares8921]

Interesante video, como siempre! Yo guardo los cogollos de semilla para secarlas en sacos o bolsas de papel y las cuelgo en el invernadero durante el verano y otoño. Una vez secas, las aplasto dentro de la misma bolsa y luego las limpio soplándola o al viento suave. Así no pierdo semillas al colgarlas que pudiesen caer. Sobretodo con las hojas orientales.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hola Juan, ese es un método encantador!

[@johncogs8717]

Thanks Charles I'm obsessed with your videos and books and recently got an allotment so been trying no dig myself. This isn't to do with seed saving but have you found more mushroom growth in your beds using no dig? A couple of mine have had some growing and I'm told it's all good so I'm leaving them but was wondering if you've had something similar?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear John, and yes! In damp weather. It's a sign of strong fungal activity. All good

[@joeboudreault2226]

I intend to do some of this. Thank you.

[@fittpatley]

My orange beetroot cross pollinated with the candystripe variety and I now have grown an orange and pink candystripe 🤣 which taste a d look beautiful but not true orange which I will try a d select this year 🤞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow!

[@irenesmith5676]

Hi Charles I sown tomato seed from some toms my youngest son liked & I found it was f1 & they got smaller & didn’t taste very nice so I’ve thrown the seeds found out the hard way ! Iam going to have a go at doing my own potatoes didn’t know you could save your potatoes! Yes I’m growing onions letting them go to seed ! Very interesting video thank you lv Irene 😘 xx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing your experience Irene, best of luck

[@ajb.822]

I saved seed from the hybrid tomato variety " Big Mamma" , an amazing paste tomato introduced to me by a friend few years ago. She actually gave me a flat of them, longer story. I was so enamored with this variety that I saved seed from them anyways, and they were the only tomato variety I had in that garden/area, so it worked out ( another story). So, next year I planted those seeds there, and out of the aprox. doz plants I had, only a few of the plants had different fruits. Most were same or close to it, as the original. Among the others I had 3 which were long and skinny, but otherwise ok, most anyways. A couple other plants had little, slicer-tomato shaped ones, but most of which were hard/woody ( strange & unusable for the most part) tomatoes, so, I finally just ripped those out. I saved seed again, trying to be sure I saved from at least a few different plants and some from early in the season but most were from later when, due to some other factors it was easier for me to let them ripen on the plant more thoroughly, while yet getting to them b4 they rotted and/or got eaten up by critters. I wasn't able to plant any last year due to moving, so, this is the year, God willing, to plant and harvest from my 2nd generation since the hybrid ! Can hardly wait for that and the Petit Gris de la Rennes cantaloupe seeds I just ordered... !!! I did save seed last year from my amazing cantaloupe harvest of Minnesota Midget ( I am in nw Wisconsin, an hour straight east from MN Capital, so, plenty short-ish season usually ! ) and Hale's best, which I don't recall much about & had just grabbed when seeing what was left at a nearby nursery after moving and getting new, no-till garden started ! The MMs I had planted from seed I'd had on hand, a few things had survived my seed start plant stand falling over in a jumble from high winds just b4 moving... had forgotten to get it staked well ).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's nice, you are on quite a journey with the seed saving and that's how it should be! Thanks for sharing about your melons as well, it's interesting that you come from the region with MM originates. I prefer it to PGR, partly because it grows more fruit!

[@Sanosarah]

I want more videos in the conservatory, it's precious!!

[@Sanosarah]

And I've only ever saved seeds once from a waltham 29 broccoli I let go at the end of the season last year, but this year I'm saving kale, a few varieties of lettuce, three or four kinds of peas, and whatever all else I have the space for.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well done! 💚

[@victoriajohnson3034]

I would find cross pollinating as a cool new crop. Surprise garden!

[@tedbastwock3810]

So, (in no particular order): **** Easy: Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Alliaceae, Asteraceae **** Difficult: Chenopodioideae (or Amaranthaceae more broadly, it seems), Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae Is that about right (I left out lambs lettuce), or is it not so easy as to group by family? For example, I noticed you didn't mention peppers or egg plants, but I assume they're just as easy as tomatoes and potatoes. Of course there's lots of plants in those families you didn't (and couldn't in a single video) mention. But my question is, Charles, can we essentially judge difficulty of seed-saving by botanical family in general, or is it more nuanced than that?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It's less straightforward Ted! Peppers cross with chillies, pole beans cross with each other. Hence I mentioned the specific vegetables. Asteraceae may be the easiest but can't be sure

[@tedbastwock3810]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig as I guessed 🙂 Thanks, Charles

[@Maria-maduixa]

Very interesting video! Thank you Mr. Charles

[@Asa-df8kb]

Thank you so much! It was even timely with a homework assessment I have to do......:) I study to become a Market Gardener. You inspire me very much to beome a better gardener.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Asa, glad it was helpful!

[@woodskid4ever]

Thamk you, Charles!

[@stuckinthemudgarden7726]

Your videos are of the best most informational thank you for sharing.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome, thanks

[@jenniferdruery8661]

Charles I have all your books and I thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have changed the way I garden since watching your videos and I haven’t had the normal frustrations I used to. I feel so much more hands off and I am able to get to the “fun” things that I wasn’t able to before. Would love to have a reference book from your trials and experience with saving seeds. Looking forward to more videos and great content! 😊 One question…can you put a bit of extra greenhouse poly over the onion seeds just in case of rain in the last little bit of the drying time before the seeds are ready? I am in Oregon so I understand the wet weather problems and have been trying to save seed but fail more often than not. Just wondering if there was a way to keep the root in the soil but have some protection at the seed head?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Jennifer, thank you for your lovely comment and being such a fan! On seed saving, I don't yet know enough to write with correct details, just I'm happy to share what I know here. Someone else commented that you can cut off the head of onion seeds before they are quite mature and pin them upright to any wall undercover until the seeds dry. Leeks too

[@yukselikiz]

you are doing great work...

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks

[@stevendowden2579]

i love saving seed

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Steven

[@barbarastclair9429]

I love your channel. Your garden is gorgeous! I have a no dig garden where I grow heirloom vegetables, many rare varieties too. I am almost 60 tears old and I had my first garden, organic garden, when I was 10 years old. I started no dig about 7 years ago and I love it. I still have a problem with squash bugs though. Do you have these and if so how do you control them. Conventional 'wisdom' says to kill them with chemicals- NOT IN MY GARDEN! Or squash them. This is what I am doing presently. I inspect the underside of leaves and use tape to remove eggs. But invariably I miss some and then the bugs are more difficult to control. I would love to know if you have a better solution.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Barbara, I'm encouraged to hear this. We don't have squash bugs here so I'm afraid I cannot help you. I imagine you would need a mesh cover which is quite expensive.

[@robertayersiii3832]

Thank you for the video Mr. Dowding. Quick question: I live in the U.S. on the northeastern coast. It gets quite hot and humid here around this time of year, which makes us prone to fungal diseases. My question is: if a (climbing/french) bean plant, for example, gets a fungal disease but still produces decent looking beans (even though the plants/pods look terrible) are those beans safe to store? A related question: are they safe to eat. Thanks, Robert

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting question Robert, and it sounds like your plants can't be too damaged, otherwise they would not be growing bean pods. Therefore I would either eat them or keep them for seed

[@livus3787]

So fascinating!

[@carolewarner101]

I love it! Several questions came up for me as I watched. It rains a lot here in the Pacific Northwest of the US, so I'd be worried about rain destroying my seeds before they had a chance to dry. Wondering whether it would work to have a polytunnel section for seed saving that you leave the plastic off until everything you're growing there has flowered and is setting seed. Then you could put the plastic on and leave the ends open and the sides pulled up to promote plenty of air flow? Does anyone know why that would or wouldn't work well? The whole idea of saving one's own seed is just so inspiring. I'm really excited to get started with it!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Carole and yes I reckon that's viable

[@mwmingram]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@fireofmidnight]

Funny thing about broad beans, been sowing them for years now, and seems that the seed grows better if they are two years old than one

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting, I have not found that with broad beans but have noticed it with spinach and coriander, there is something going on there!

[@metubewot]

Again Charles really enjoyed the video, as seed saving is an area which I'm interested in. Possibly I can help you too. I mix with some Pot Leek guys, and their methods might help you with your onions, or of course leeks. When the flower heads are nearly ready and vulnerable, you can cut the whole stalk off. On batten of wood or a wooden shed wall fix little metal spring clips, the type you clip ratchets and sockets, spanners etc into in a workshop, or similar , I'm sure you could improvise. Say eg the stalk is 3 feet long stand in a little jar or pot of water and clip back about 2 feet up to the wall, like a flower in a pot. You can make a row of them. They then continue to produce their seed under more controllable, shall we say, conditions. NB this is leeks, and I am assuming onions could be treated the same. Absolutely love your garden. Kindest regards ian.

[@metubewot]

As an add on here, and I don't know if it works with onions, but it does with leeks. If you cut the little flowers off the flower head, little leeks begin to form. They're known variably as pips or pods, these can be removed and grown on and are genetically exactly as the parent plant. Food for thought, and if successful, food for you. regards ian.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for your comments ian, that is really interesting and if I get time I shall have a go. I had heard of pips too!

[@Beano2100]

Amazing! Thank you! I was just thinking yesterday I hoped you would share more on seed saving given the times we are living in, and it doesn't sound all that easy. Are there any good books you would recommend on the subject?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Gareth and it's Back Garden Seed Saving by Sue Stickland 2009 www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/back-garden-seed-saving/author/stickland/

[@Beano2100]

Thank you so much!

[@gabriellakadar]

I've grown Rose de Roscoff Keravel again this year but will be doing exactly the same: next year I will replant and hope to get my own seeds. Just rewatched this video to see what size of onion you are using because I planted some of them singly and some in groups. Basically you recommend to replant the big ones?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

All of mine were from multisown clumps where those with genes for growing larger onions seem more likely to me to grow large onions! Which I want. In your case it's more difficult to select because you've grown some singly, and that's enabled them to grow large, so if you've harvested already you can't tell which onions might grow the largest. Or that may not be priority for you, perhaps you want to choose by colour or shape, or thinness of neck. Choices!