Written by Yvette Henson
CSU Extension San Miguel and West Montrose Counties
When our ancestors came to the U.S., the often brought seeds with them, seeds from home. These seeds were important because they were a source of food—often the seeds they brought were of plants that were a culturally important food, a medicine or a favorite door yard flower. These seeds planted something from the homeland into the new land and they might have preserved a long time heirloom. Many indigenous cultures have and still preserve their own regionally adapted plant varieties by saving the seed. In the early days of our country the USDA had a seed giveaway program. It was often the local Extension Agent who was responsible to distribute these seeds to local people. Around this same time, there were many seed companies who sold many varieties of seeds. In the early to mid-1900’s things began to change -- less people lived on small family farms, less people gardened at home and hybrid seeds were developed. There were fewer regional seed companies and many varieties were lost. (See the following diagram.)
CSU Extension San Miguel and West Montrose Counties
When our ancestors came to the U.S., the often brought seeds with them, seeds from home. These seeds were important because they were a source of food—often the seeds they brought were of plants that were a culturally important food, a medicine or a favorite door yard flower. These seeds planted something from the homeland into the new land and they might have preserved a long time heirloom. Many indigenous cultures have and still preserve their own regionally adapted plant varieties by saving the seed. In the early days of our country the USDA had a seed giveaway program. It was often the local Extension Agent who was responsible to distribute these seeds to local people. Around this same time, there were many seed companies who sold many varieties of seeds. In the early to mid-1900’s things began to change -- less people lived on small family farms, less people gardened at home and hybrid seeds were developed. There were fewer regional seed companies and many varieties were lost. (See the following diagram.)
Preventing further loss of genetic diversity in our seed source is just one reason to make the extra effort it takes to properly save seeds. Here are a few more reasons to consider:
- To preserve a cultural or heritage seed
- To develop or maintain regional, farm or garden adapted varieties
- To be more resilient or self sufficient
- To ensure you have a source of your favorite varieties
- To share!
- Save money (the labor and space needed may not always result in savings)
- For a fun challenge
- To be in partnership with nature
- It’s really ‘local’
Following are some basic terms that one needs to understand in order to save seed successfully.
Open Pollinated (OP) varieties can produce stable offspring that breed true to type if properly managed. “Stable” means there will be consistent uniformity between individuals in the plant population grown from the seeds saved. OP varieties are allowed to cross pollinate in the field. Open pollinated varieties can be just as vigorous as F1 hybrids, depending on selection. OP varieties are not hybrids and they are not always heirlooms.
Definitions differ for what an heirloom plant variety is. The most common definition of an heirloom is a variety that has been grown, seeds saved and regrown for at least 50 years. But to others a variety that is being maintained by a family or in a region and passed down, even if it hasn’t been done for as long as 50 years is an heirloom. Usually an heirloom is an OP variety but not always. For instance, a noteworthy hybrid developed by a famous plant breeder in the past might be considered an heirloom by some.
Hybrid varieties result from natural or unnatural pollination between genetically distinct parents of a species. Commercially, the parents used to produce hybrids (F1) are usually inbred for specific characteristics. Hybrids can have increased uniformity and sometimes increased vigor and disease resistance, than either of the parent plants. Seed saved from hybrids will not grow true-to-type and sometimes it’s sterile.
GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organism) varieties have had genes have inserted into their DNA. The genes that are inserted are often from different species, genera, or even kingdoms. Most, if not all, GMO varieties are hybrids but not all hybrids are GMO’s.
The basic steps to save seed successfully are:
- Start with an open pollinated variety so you can get plants true to type.
- Learn about the characteristics and needs of the species of plant that you are growing so you can grow it to be as healthy and productive as possible.
- Knowledge about your plant species will give you the information you need to protect your variety from cross pollination with related plants. This can be done by planting a single variety, by covering and/or hand pollinating or by separating similar varieties by enough distance to prevent cross pollination.
- Plant a large enough population size to get adequate pollination among your plants to maintain genetic vigor of your seed. Save seeds from the healthiest plants that have the traits that you want and get rid of the plants that don’t.
- Harvest at the correct time to get good seed. This may mean you don’t get to eat all of the fruit of your labor—some plants might need to be saved for seed.
- Process your seed for the type of plant it is.
- Store your seed properly to ensure it remains viable. Generally, keep seeds dry, cool and dark. Replant and repeat! Over time, you will get a more locally adapted variety with the characteristics you want and that will perform well in your area.
If you want to know more about Saving Seeds see the following resources:
CSU Extension Fact Sheets:
Organic Seed Alliance www.seedalliance.org
Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance www.rockymountainseeds.org
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth and Kent Whealy, Seed Saver Exchange, 2nd Edition, 2002.
The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving, Butalla, Lee and Siegel, Shanyn, Seed Savers Exchange. 2015.
Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties by Carol Deppe. Chelsea Green, 2nd Edition, 2010.