Everyone has been talking about a potential seed shortage in 2021. With the introduction of the Corona Virus came a widespread interest in gardening and sustainability. Thousands, if not millions of people, picked up their garden shovels and took at stab at growing their own food.
The instability of our grocery stores and food system was sobering. This insecurity hasn’t been quick or sweeping; if anything, it is something we will remember for the rest of our lives.
Many companies have been ill-equipped to deal with the rising demand of consumers looking to buy seeds. While seeds are still available, many people are struggling to find seeds for the varieties they are looking to grow.
If you have been gardening this year, you are already at an advantage. Many gardeners are planning to save seeds next year in order to ensure that their stock is not depleted.
How to save seeds
There is no universal rule when it comes to saving seeds. The majority can be dried out, but they often require different treatment before they can be stored. Below are instructions on how to dry various seed types.
Kale
Kale can be harvested by letting pods dry on plants. At the end of the season, seeds can be cut off the plant or shaken loose into a paper bag.
Seeds can be stored in a glass container out of direct sunlight but is easier to store in a paper envelope.
Lettuce
Lettuce can be harvested by letting seed heads dry on plants for 2-3 weeks after they have bolted. This happens at the end of the season when the weather starts to turn warm. You can tie a paper bag on the top of each plant and shake daily, which will loosen the seeds. At the end of the season, cut the top of each plant and remove the bag.
Seeds can be stored in a glass container out of direct sunlight, but these seeds are so small they are easier to keep in a paper envelope.
Peas
Peas also need to dry out. It is easiest to let pods dry out directly on the vine until they turned brown. You can then open the pods to remove the seeds.
To store, place in a secure glass container, keep cool and dry, and keep out of direct sunlight. You can also store in a paper envelope although, due to their round size, a glass jar is easier.
Squash
Squash need to be harvested wet by leaving on the vine until the end of the season. You will know it is ready when you can no longer dent the skin easily with your fingernail. To get to the seeds, you will need to carefully cut the squash open and scrape out the seeds. Rinse the pulp off with water and leave to dry on a paper towel for three to four weeks.
You can store seeds in a glass container away from direct sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Peppers
Peppers can be harvested dry or wet, although drying them is the easiest (although longest) method. You can leave peppers on plants until they are dry.
If you would like to harvest wet, cut the pepper in half and remove seeds. Using gloves, remove the seeds and run under lukewarm water. Leave on a paper towel to dry for three to four weeks.
Pepper seeds can be stored in a tightly sealed glass container away from sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Beans
To harvest beans, leave pods to dry on the vine until they have turned brown in color. This is easiest to achieve at the end of the growing season. Once dry, pods can be opened by hand.
Beans can be stored in an airtight glass container out of direct sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes need to be harvested wet. This is easily accomplished by leaving tomatoes on the vine until they are red. They can then be removed from the vine, taken inside, and cut in half. Seeds can be squeezed out of the tomato and placed in a room temperature jar of water and stirred twice a day. After three to four days you can rinse and leave to dry on a paper towel for three weeks.
You can store seeds in a glass container away from direct sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Cucumbers
In order to harvest, cucumbers need to be left on the vine until they have changed in color (typically orange) and become soft. Place on the counter for 4 weeks before removing the seeds. This is easy to do by cutting the cucumber in half and then removing the seeds. Place in a cup of room temperature water for two days, stirring at least twice a day. Leave to dry on a paper towel for four weeks.
Cucumber seeds can also be placed in an airtight container stored out of direct sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Melons
Melons need to be harvested wet by letting fully mature on the vine. They can be stored for 3 weeks inside before removing the seeds. To remove seeds, cut the melon in half and remove. The pulp will need to be washed from the seed and it will need to dry for four weeks on a paper towel.
Seeds can be stored in a glass container out of direct sunlight or in a paper envelope.
Herbs (Parsley, Thyme, Basil, Dill)
Most herb will need to be left to bolt and then dry out. Seeds can be left to dry on the plant and, when ready, you can cut or shake the seeds loose into a paper bag.
Seeds need to be stored in a glass container where they can be kept dry and cool. Keep out of direct sunlight. Additionally, due to their size, they can also be easily stored in a paper envelope.
Storing Seeds
Storing seeds is a fairly straight-forward process that takes just a little bit of planning and patience. Not only can it help you in the event of a seed shortage, but it is also an easy way to cut costs in your future garden.
While it may not be a viable option for this winter season, it is worth looking ahead to ensure seed security in the future.
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