It is easy for a gardener to rip open a seed packet and sow, yet do you ever think about where that seed comes from? A seed is both the beginning and end of a plant’s life. When you allow a plant to continue to grow to maturity, it will inevitably develop a seed head. Leave the seed head to dry, and you may never need to buy seeds for your garden again.
Saving old varieties from extinction plays a key role in the future of agriculture, and is a good reason to become a seed saver. You may have heard the term heirloom variety, which refers to seeds of cherished varieties that have been handed down from family to family. These are also open-pollinated, so when the seed is saved and planted again, the result will match the same genetics as the original plant. This is not true for hybrids, which are not as suitable for seed saving since the embryo has been modified.
It's the perfect time of year to collect seed pods. You'll find seed pods all over my house, because I love the way they look in a vase. Once fall is done, I break open the pods, and store seeds in a mason jar, label the top and store in a cool dark place next to jars of pickles and jam.
The first plant that inspired me to become a seed saver was Hyacinth Bean aka Dolichos LabLab. I noticed it growing when visiting Thomas Jefferson's garden at Monticello, and learned this seed dates back to the 1806. Cool, I thought, let's bring history forward.
Many heirlooms come with stories, yet sometimes they just come with memories. Tell me what seeds you like to save, and find a friend to share your favorites. It's never too soon to start planning for next years garden with the eternal hope and promise of a seed.
As Always,
Ellen Ecker Ogden
Author of The Complete Kitchen Garden and The New Heirloom Garden. Designs, Books, and Classes For Gardeners Who Love to Cook.