Know the Plant

• Take time to learn about the plant you are saving seeds from. Hybrid plants often produce sterile seed and may be illegal to save seeds from. Cross-pollinating plants require special considerations to get a seed that is true to the parent plant. Many root crops are bi-annual, and they will require two seasons of growth to produce seeds. Observe plants in the garden to see how seed is set on the plant. It may be contained within a flower, fruit or pod, develop on stalks or under a leaf.
  
  

Harvesting

• For plants that produce seeds in pods, allow to dry as completely as possible in the garden. As pods dry, they become brittle; harvest before they split open. Allow fruits to ripen completely before harvesting. Remove the seed mass from the fruit, lightly mash and place in water. After two to three days of fermenting, pour off floating seeds, mold and pulp, leaving the seeds at the bottom. Seeds that settle to the bottom are viable. Place on paper towels to dry. For seeds produced in flower heads, allow the flowers to finish blooming and start to fade before harvest.
  
  

Storing

• Seeds must be completely dry before storing. Seeds can be dried on drying racks or in paper bags. Seeds can be stored in envelopes, plastic bags, glass jars or small boxes. Store seed containers in a location that is cool, dry and dark. Some seeds need to be protected from freezing temperatures while others need to be subjected to time in the freezer. If you are harvesting from a plant you are not familiar with, consult with a local seed saver organization or extension office.
  
  

Considerations

• When preserving heirloom plants, watch for cross-pollination. For crops like corn, which are wind pollinated, they will need to be isolated from other corn for the distance of a mile to stay true to the cultivator. Keep a distance of 200 yards between similar plants to assist with keeping cultivators true to the original plant. When improving a seed cultivator, select fruits or flowers with characteristics you are looking for. It is best to use seeds within a year of storage; however, some seeds may be stored for up to three years.