As gardeners, most of us already see ourselves as conservationists. We understand the value of water and soil as important natural resources. We strive to create energy efficient landscapes by the careful placement of shade trees and through the selection of hardy plant varieties. We connect to our food supply by growing a portion of our own groceries, and we strive to reduce chemical use by employing organic controls for insect pests and diseases. All of these contributions to the health of our homes, communities and planet can be exhilarating, and propel us through our garden chores during the long summer days. As the weather cools and our gardens need less attention, another wonderful conservation activity presents itself: seed saving.A few generations ago, seed saving was much more than a hobbyist method of regenerating our gardens each season; it was the agricultural means by which communities survived. Through the years, there have always been a handful of gardeners who have bypassed the seed industry completely by creating their own springtime supply. Some are the older members of our gardening community for whom seed saving has always been a way of life. Some are new converts who are determined survivalists in a world where a precious food supply has become a political and environmental battleground. Some oppose genetically modified foods, while others simply find it economical to over-winter their own flower seeds instead of purchasing them new each year.
I have been a seed saving gardener for several years now. Powerful economic and environmental arguments for preserving the genetic diversity of our local plant varieties aside, I think I save seeds for reasons that are part hoarder and part mad scientist. I just can't help loving the challenge of a garden that is self perpetuating from year to year. I love experimenting with plant varieties that cross pollinate and reveal fascinating new flowers each summer. And although it may raise some eyebrows among the interior design community, I adore the look of jars and jars of seeds on my shelves: some colorful, some plain, and all with unique textures that create rich and lively textures amid a backdrop of garden books and photographs.
For the beginning seed saver, I recommend starting with abundant producers and easy-to-germinate plants. Zinnia, Echinacea, garlic chive, cosmos, basil and lemon balm all form prolific seed heads late in the summer, and saving the seeds can be as easy as snipping the heads off and storing them in a cool, dry container. Vegetable seeds are typically found inside a fruit such as a pepper, tomato or cucumber. These plants are often grown as sterile hybrids, or genetically modified varieties that will not yield viable seed stock. I recommend purchasing organic, open pollinated seeds for your vegetable garden, then saving the seeds at the end of each harvest. This typically involves removing the seeds from the fruiting body of the plant and allowing them to dry in a cool, dark location after cleaning. All seeds should be stored in an environment where they will not be exposed to moisture. Envelopes work well for small quantities, or you can try my jar method and create an impressive display of your own.
Although seed saving seems as simple as removing and cleaning your seed then storing it, some species of plants have special requirements. For example, some seeds will not germinate unless they have been exposed to a certain number of freezing days, while others can't tolerate freezing at all. Some varieties must be scratched or exposed to an acidic environment (such as a rotting fruit or the gut of an animal) and a few must even be exposed to fire before they can grow. This process is called "scarification". Before investing too much time and hope into a seed crop that you are uncertain about, it is a good idea to look up the germination requirements for that particular plant. If you become an obsessed seed hoarder like me, then you will want to purchase Suzanne Ashworth's seed saving bible, "Seed to Seed" distributed by the Chelsea Green Publishing Company. It contains the secrets to saving the seed of all plants imaginable and great information about which plants might accidentally cross pollinate each other producing an unusable hybrid.
Whether you are a garden hobbyist looking to expand your skills in self sufficiency, a concerned ecologist with an interest in preserving heirloom plant gene stock, or a decorator with an eye for interesting, organic textures, I think you will find saving seeds to be a fulfilling and beautiful activity that the whole family can enjoy.
