Seed saving is the practice of collecting and storing seeds from open-pollinated and heirloom plants to grow in future seasons. Unlike hybrid seeds, heirloom varieties breed true from saved seed — preserving genetic diversity and flavor characteristics developed over generations.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heirloom | Open-pollinated variety in cultivation for at least 50 years, often with documented history |
| Open-pollinated (OP) | Pollinated by natural means (wind, insects); seeds breed true to parent |
| Hybrid (F1) | Cross of two distinct parent lines; seeds do not breed true |
| Isolation distance | Minimum space between varieties to prevent cross-pollination |
| Roguing | Removing off-type plants before they flower to maintain variety purity |
| Crop | Pollination Type | Minimum Isolation | Recommended Isolation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Self-pollinating | 10 ft | 25–50 ft |
| Peppers | Insect / self | 300 ft | 500–1,000 ft |
| Beans (bush/pole) | Self-pollinating | 10 ft | 25 ft |
| Peas | Self-pollinating | 10 ft | 25 ft |
| Lettuce | Self-pollinating | 12 ft | 25 ft |
| Cucumbers | Insect-pollinated | 500 ft | 1,000 ft |
| Squash (C. pepo) | Insect-pollinated | 500 ft | 1,500 ft |
| Squash (C. maxima) | Insect-pollinated | 500 ft | 1,500 ft |
| Melons | Insect-pollinated | 500 ft | 1,500 ft |
| Corn | Wind-pollinated | 600 ft | 1,200–2,000 ft |
| Beets | Wind-pollinated | 1 mile | 5 miles |
| Carrots | Insect-pollinated | 1 mile | 2 miles |
| Kale / Cabbage (Brassica) | Insect-pollinated | 1,000 ft | 1 mile |
| Spinach | Wind-pollinated | 1 mile | 5 miles |
| Sunflowers | Insect-pollinated | 500 ft | 1,000 ft |
| Calendula | Insect-pollinated | 200 ft | 500 ft |
| Zinnia | Insect-pollinated | 300 ft | 500 ft |
Allow fruit to ripen fully — beyond what you would eat. Tomatoes should be soft and slightly overripe. Scoop seeds into water, ferment 2–3 days at room temperature, rinse, and dry on screens or coffee filters. Do not use paper towels (seeds stick).
Allow pods or seed heads to dry on the plant as long as weather permits. Harvest before heavy rain or hard frost. Finish drying indoors for 2–4 weeks at room temperature with good airflow. Moisture content should be below 8% before storage.
Must complete two growing seasons to set seed. In Zone 6a, roots or crowns must overwinter — either in ground with heavy mulch or in cool storage (34–38°F). Replant in spring; harvest seed mid-summer of year two.
| Crop | Average Viability | Storage Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 4–6 years | Airtight container, cool and dark |
| Peppers | 2–3 years | Airtight container, refrigerate |
| Beans | 3–4 years | Paper envelope in airtight jar |
| Peas | 3–4 years | Paper envelope in airtight jar |
| Corn | 2–3 years | Airtight, low humidity essential |
| Cucumbers | 5–7 years | Airtight container |
| Squash | 4–6 years | Airtight container |
| Lettuce | 2–3 years | Airtight, refrigerate |
| Carrots | 3–4 years | Airtight, cool dry location |
| Onions | 1–2 years | Short viability — use quickly |
| Parsley | 2–3 years | Airtight container |
| Zinnia | 3–5 years | Airtight container |
| Sunflower | 2–3 years | Airtight, cool location |