Archive for The Potting Shed A forum to discuss Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Countryside, Livestock and Pets
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Kathy
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Seed savingHow do you save them. Might sound like a daft question but never having done this before I really don't know!
For example, I've just prepared a squash for dinner and thrown the seeds away. Can these be kept and planted, do they need to be preserved in a certain way? Same with peppers and chillies and beans. All the veg I buy is organic, so it would be a good source of organic seeds if I did this. 
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Somerset Lad
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Start saving them from now on Kathy, and you will save pounds. Firstly squash ,pumpkin.cucumber, melon, courgette and marrow, fruit when fully developed can be scooped out, washed thouroughly and dried, i usually dry my seeds on a sheet of glass, perspex so they don't stick together. Once dried completely put into paper or celophane packets and label type, date saved and put into a cool place.
Tomato seeds are scooped out of a fully ripe fruit, put in a jar of water and left for a few days, sirring occasionally until a mould appears on the top. Next strain seeds ( i use an old tea strainer) rubbing the jelly like through the mesh, this jelly is a growth inhibitor. Dry as before and packet, (these will last 10 years. )
Peas and beans just need to dry naturally on the plant, pick shell and packet.
The same goes for many seeds, lettuce, carrot, any brasicas but the problem with these in particular is they cross fertilize too readilly and so you will end up with loose cabbage, brussels with all sorts of shapes ,sizes etc. It can be done but needs isolation.
If there is anything ,anyone needs to know about a particular vegetable just ask and i will try to answer .
Do have a go at saving seeds it's a way of life when you get into it and thats how all these heritage varieties are still with us.   
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Kathy
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Brilliant SL, thanks. 
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Leonie2
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exactly as SL has said I don't save my squash and pumpkin seeds though, I did once but they had cross pollinated with courgettes I think and the fruit the following year was very watery and not like the original had been. Make sure you store the seeds in a cool dry place. I've often heard people saying they have left their seeds in the greenhouse, apparently the extremes of temp and the dampness during winter will ruin your seeds.
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Kathy
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I've got a cold larder and a potting shed.
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Leonie2
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spoilt for choice then
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Kathy
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