Saving seed is easier than you might think.

I’ve saved seeds for years. Some, like beans, work really well (that is… when they don’t get bored out by weevils). Others are so-so. I’m switching to almost all heirloom varieties this year, so I’m researching the best ways to harvest and store seeds long-term.

A lot of the heirloom varieties have amazing stories. For example, I remember reading that Taos Blue Corn would’ve completely disappeared off the globe if it hadn’t been for a bundle of it found in a sealed pueblo out West… that had sat for 70 years before being discovered! How’s that for seed saving?

One problem with saving seed in a small garden is that some plants end up with a loss of genetic strength from generation to generation. Corn, for example, should be grown in large patches if you’re going to save seed – otherwise, you may eventually end up with sad, poorly producing plants after a few generations. Or Charles II of Spain.

 

Here’s a couple videos I did on seed saving: