Saving Seeds

Saving  Seeds

Save seeds from your flowers and vegetables to plant next year!

• Choose a plant that has characteristics that you want to save. Seeds from hybrid varieties will not remain true to type.

• Allow flowers and pods (like beans or peas) to mature on the plant. Mature fruits can be picked and seeds removed without first drying.

• Collect and clean the seeds. If the seeds are dry, remove husks, pods, or other plant debris. If the seeds are embedded in a wet fruit, remove as much pulp as possible from the seeds and allow them to dry.

• Store dry seeds in a cool dry place. Check for any signs of mold and discard seeds if it develops.

• About 1 month before planting, check a small sample of your stored seeds to check rate of germination.

Thanks to Jackie Calvert of the Civic Beautification and Urban Forestry for this post.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/seed-saving-basics

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/collecting-storing-seeds-your-garden

Photo - Joshua  Lanzarini

- What to do in the Garden in August -

                      

Maintenance and Clean Up

✦Make compost out of lawn clippings and garden plants that are ready to be recycled. Don't use clippings if
the lawn has been treated with herbicide, including "weed-and-feed" products. Don't compost diseased plants unless you are using the "hot compost" method.

✦Fertilize cucumbers, summer squash and broccoli to maintain production while you continue harvesting.

✦Deep water Camellias to develop flower buds for next spring.

✦Prune raspberries, boysenberries and other caneberries after harvest.

✦Prune cherry trees before fall rains begin to allow callusing in dry weather and minimize the spread of bacterial canker.

Planting and Propagation

✦Plant winter cover crops in vacant space in the vegetable garden

✦Plant winter kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, parsnips, parsley, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach.

From Benton County Master Gardeners -
Membership meetings: 3rd Monday Oct. to May 7:00pm - currently on Zoom