What type of seeds should I borrow?

Seeds require different levels of work and experience to save. So what are the best seeds for you to borrow? Well, it depends on your level of experience and how much you want to learn about seed saving. We are asking people who check out seeds to grow them organically.

Easy Peas-y Seeds: Great for beginners

    • Peas
    • Beans
    • Lettuce
    • Tomatoes
    • Grains

    Moderately Easy: Takes time & a little know-how 

    Some plants are biennials, which means they produce seeds the second growing season. These are still suitable for beginners.
    • Beets and chard
    • Parsley
    • Parsnips
    • Carrots
    • Peppers - not a biennial, but can cross with other peppers

    Difficult: You don't always reap what you sow

    Some plants cross-pollinate; that means that if there is another variety around they can pollinate each other and the seeds you save will not be what you originally planted, unless you know how to properly save them.
    • Broccoli
    • Cauliflower
    • Cabbage
    • Corn
    • Pumpkins
    • Squash
    • Cucumbers
    • Melons

    Seed Saving Booklet

    Adaptive Seeds has a great seed saving booklet you can download for free.

    General Guidelines to Seed Saving

    Remember the adage "What you reap, so shall you so." Well, that can be taken quite literally in the world of seed saving (with the exception of the "difficult" seeds to save.) If you harvest small tomatoes, you're likely to get small tomatoes. If you harvest the first tomatoes of the season, their offspring will be more likely to produce earlier in the season.

    When choosing which seeds to harvest consider the following:
    1. size
    2. shape
    3. taste
    4. health
    5. time of the season (early, mid, late)

    After you save the seeds, make a note of why you chose these particular seeds, where you grew them, and when you harvested them. This process will help you to learn from your plants and to start creating the varieties that work best for your location.

    Free Seed Saving Booklets