Seed-Saving Masterclass: How To Save Money & Time

We gardeners love buying seeds... and how much do we spend on them...? We don't like to think about it!
But what if we could collect our very own seeds all year round and get all our seeds for free? How much money would we save? We would also be guaranteeing that our seeds are pretty well organic and sustainably produced. Sounds too good to be true... until we know how. In this week's episode Ben explains what to do to have free seeds, forever!

NB: *DO NOT EAT very bitter cross-pollinated squash*

For more or our videos on saving seeds, watch these next...
Saving Seeds from Beans, Peppers, Onions...and More!

How To Save Seeds From Your Bolting Vegetables

[BGraytful]

I’ve had great success over the years saving tomato seed simply by squeezing the seed onto paper towel and let that dry. Once the sheet of towel is completely dry I simply separate the towel into one layer and label and save. Next planting season I pull off a few bits of towel with the number of seeds I want. The germination rate is quite good. Perhaps the drying seed towels do ferment as they dry, but regardless this works and is very simple.

[newcamomile]

Storing seeds also helps preserve heirloom varieties, which is particularly important for varieties from marginalised groups (eg Native American corn and bean varieties). Personally I do like letting a couple of brassica plants flower, partly just for pollinators as they love the flowers but also because the flower shoots are delicious - just like sprouting broccoli! Kale and rocket/arugula flower shoots are so good stir-fried like choy sum or sprouting broccoli.

[myrustygarden]

Yep dining room table is full 😂 already, happy saving. I use paper plates to dry them as I can write on the plates. It’s so wet here I’ll have to wait a few days for things to dry again, Ali ☔️☔️🇨🇦

[richswain]

Hi, I'm already setting seeds on one runner plant. The rest still flowering.
Thank you for your uploads, I've followed you closely this year, doing your step by steps, and not only have I had success on the patch and greenhouse, my mental health has benefitted hugely. Thank

[MarcMajcher]

This is my job over the next week or so—we're moving, so I've been pulling seeds from all my peppers and basil and whatnot in hopes that we can keep the line going in our new place!

[toniedalton]

I have been saving tomato, cucumber, and pepper seeds. Also save my flower seeds and share them Hollyhocks, 4 oclocks, poppies, etc. So easy and it helps keep the massive seed producing ones like poppies under control.

[sayadaramdial]

Seed saving is one of my favourite garden activities! This year I've already harvested seeds from mache, green onions, lettuce, arugula, snow peas, and a few different wildflowers. I also scattered some of them in the garden to germinate and grow now, and they're already coming up nicely.
I didn't necessarily mean to let so many arugula seeds fall, but it's been nice to 'weed' and collect some young arugula for my meals whenever I like!

[Dirt-Fermer]

The birbs and tree badgers store a lot of new sunflowers for me each year

[buckaroobonsaitree]

What timing! I've just started focusing on saving seeds from my harvests. I also consider beans beautiful, but I see beautiful symmetry and perfection everywhere in God's creation.

[donnabrooks]

I have plenty of seeds for right now. Will save in the future when needed. For seed storage I have my flowers in an airtight storage box and the bigger seed envelopes and branded seed packets I have in pencil cases in a locking lid storage tote. I really enjoy your videos and seeing precious little Rosie.

[richa]

top tip: if you put tomato seeds on a sheet of kitchen towel you can use your thumb to push into the paper and then drag the seeds across the surface of the paper - this detaches the wet mush really well leaving you with clean seeds and no need to soak as you did. Youre welcome!

[PlantObsessed]

I have been seed saving today. Peppers and tomatoes for me.good idea for the squash.🎉🎉

[richardeicholtz]

Exactly what I've been meaning to look up but always forgot to do so. Thank you sir!

[buckaroobonsaitree]

I saved pumpkin seed last harvest; it was a bit of an afterthought but so glad I did. Your channel is one of my favorites, so if you're ever across the pond please stay away from large cities as they can be less safe than Tower Hamlets.

[valoriegriego]

Howdy, Ben and adorable Rosie!👋
Great topic and video.👍
I fell in love with saving seeds a few years ago! It is so much fun.😃
For my fall popcorn planting, I planted seeds I saved in 2021. I got 100% germination! 🙃 That shocked me and gave me a lot of seedlings to share.👩🏾‍🌾💕

[rogink]

In the past couple of years I've taken to storing seeds from the wildflowers I planted from seed and then replanting them. Wait until they start to dry up and shake the flower heads. I end up with more seeds than I started with! But it works. So satisfying.

I've also been growing some seeds from a couple of chilli pods the brother in law gave me at the start of the year. I only got around to planting the seeds late June, but now they have produced loads of plants. I doubt they will fruit this year, but I'm hoping they survive - most are indoors - and will produce peppers next year.

[tarawatterson]

Great resource. Been wanting a brief primer on this topic and this video scratched that exact itch. Appreciate you Ben!

[GreentoPeaceGP]

I did, tomatoes, bitter gourd, gourd, pumpkin. Thank you for sharing 🎉

[andrewbarnett]

First of, I agree, beans are wonderful! The Fabaceae family has some of my favourite diaspores; the shapes, colours and patterns are pretty. I am not a gardener (yet) but an archaeobotanist and I collect seeds and fruit for an reference collection. This video is a wonderful guide. Happen to be fermenting elderberry at this moment.

[bbales]

GREAT episode! Funny that you did it as I just got the biggest kick out of havesting dill steeds from plants that I’d let bolt for the insecten. SO cool to harvest your own seeds 😊 My Sweet peas this year were from last year’s seeds. Love this YouTube channel. Learning LOTS as a new gardner👍👋