Saving seed is a skill any gardener can learn. It takes planning, observation and relinquishing space and time for plants to complete their life cycle. Seed growing guides are a great reference for learning how to dry and store them properly. We have listed our favorites below.
What is most important is to match the resources from any text with the personality of your garden space...you, the soil, the sun, the water, the insects, the surrounding landscape. The plants and seed that grow well with your garden personality will be unique. Save that seed. Plant it and continue your selection for what does best for you.
Learn to save seed.
We teach seed saving classes through CedarRoot Folk School in Port Townsend, WA. Visit the farm and take a class from CedarRoot. Information and registration at cedarrootfolkschool.org
Our favorite resources:
- The Organic Seed Alliance has produce a free publication that can be downloaded from their site. Here is the link to A Seed Savers Guide for Gardeners and Farmers. It is a well written and basic guide for saving seed. And it's free!
- Another wonderful organization that promotes seed saving is The Seed Ambassadors Project. Here is a link to their free guide A Guide to Seed Saving, Seed Stewardship & Seed Sovereignty
- From our friend Matthew Dillon you can learn to start a community seed bank or gain insight into the history and politics of seed. Go to http://www.seedmatters.org/
- Take a class on seed saving and other sustainable arts at cedarrootfolkschool.org
- Micaela Colley, executive director of Organic Seed Alliance was interviewed by Mother Earth News on tips on SAVING YOUR OWN SEED. Listen to some of her great suggestions at Mother Earth News
- Seed Savers Exchange is a leader in providing resources for seed saving.