[Sam K.]

I've just read a great book 'Back garden seed saving' judging by the amount I spend on seed I could save allot of cash . Also the selection should tune veg to the characteristics of my plot and improve the quality of the veg year on year.

In principal this sounds good, but for some varieties looks like hard work and eats allot of space.  :?

I was wondering if this is common practice for people to save seed.

Sam

[Jake]

That looks like a good book

here's a link to it on amazon

I saved wanadoo peas and swiss chard from last year. The chard seeds have only about a 40% germination rate but they are free so not too bothered. I am wondering though if the germination rate for next year will be even lower :?

This year I'm going to try and save broad beans if poss, raddish, beetroot and maybe even carrot.

I don't think seed saving is that common but its certainly rewarding when they grow. I do also LOVE buying seeds though, bit obsessive about it, I could open a seed bank!

[WG.]

I might be being a bit of a wet blanket here but I reckon the price of seeds these days means that I'd rather see the space growing something I can eat directly.   Take a parsley plant for instance; it would be in the ground for almost 2 full growing seasons before you got any seed from it - the second season giving you little by way of usable parsley.

Not sure about the attuning process you mention either - others may disagree.  I am friendly with a commercial garlic grower and he never keeps his own garlic for planting.  He imports fresh garlic (by the container) each year.

I kept a few sweet pea seeds though since I loved the colour.  

[Sam K.]

HI Jake and Whisky_golf

You are right some varieties are easier to save than others. The book has made me wonder why anyone would buy French bean seed more than once. Some methods must be more cost/time effective than others, this is I think, the root of my question.

Do you sew parsley each year? Mine seems to survive the winter, though it is planted in a sheltered spot. I may grow some root parsley as well to have more all year around .

Sam

[WG.]

Yes, you should resow parsley since your plants will bolt (any day now).  Parlsey is a biennial.

Good luck with your experimentation & do keep us posted.

[GrannieAnnie]

I save some seeds, mostly tomatoes and chillies, but I get some from Alanromans.com at 50p per packet, and there's another website that sells most at 50p, plus seed swaps on here and the River Cottage forum, so seeds don't usually cost me much.

[Sam K.]

The parsley flowers each year, we tend to cut off most of these. Those that are left tend to seed and grow along side the old plants.
Seems to work for us. I'm not sure I know any better though. I will try a freshly sewn patch to compare.

WOW grannieannie they are cheaper. Maybe I don't need to save seed just be a little smarter where I spend my cash.

Thanks for the advice

Still I liked the idea of tuning the variety to may patch.

[Jake]

I save some seeds, mostly tomatoes and chillies, but I get some from Alanromans.com at 50p per packet, and there's another website that sells most at 50p, plus seed swaps on here and the River Cottage forum, so seeds don't usually cost me much.

Is there an easy way to get the gooey tomatoey juice off the seeds?

[Sam K.]

According to the book you need to ferment the seeds and pulp in water for around 5 days. Apparently this is similar to the process in nature when the fruit rots. After 5 days skim off the fermented gunk. Only the good seed should sink.

Cannot say I have tried it.... and I have written this from memory.

[Aidy]

Of course there is another factor here, that is the F1's, this seed is at its best on the growing year, the following year is not gauranteed to do the same, to be honest I dont find the cost of seed excessive if you compare to the amount of produce say 15 french beans will produce. Also most seeds can be saved for a season or more so they are not wasted if you dont sow them the year you bought them.

[David.]

I save broad beans, french beans, garlic, land cress*, chard*, leek, marrows, parsnip, peas, pumpkins, radish (for sprouting)*, runner beans, sweetcorn, squashes, tomatoes#, strawflowers, statice, sunflowers, sweet peas, sweet william, corriander, dill, fennel and parsley*.

* The overgrown plants are also hung up for the hens to peck at.

# Let a few tomatoes really ripen and squirt seeds into a small plastic container of water for a few days until the gunge has fermeted away, then tip most of muck/water away, rinse in a kitchen seive, then tip onto double kitchen towel to remove enough moisture so they can be rubbed off into a dish to dry, but not get so dry they stick to the paper. Done this with Brasero outdoor bush tomatoes (and others) ever since the shops stopped selling my favourite outdoor salad tomato.

Additionally this year I'm growing beans for drying and seeds to save for sprouting, and letting some shallots go to seed (to try and get some larger [single] bulbs next year).

[Jake]

Of course there is another factor here, that is the F1's, this seed is at its best on the growing year, the following year is not gauranteed to do the same, to be honest I dont find the cost of seed excessive if you compare to the amount of produce say 15 french beans will produce. Also most seeds can be saved for a season or more so they are not wasted if you dont sow them the year you bought them.

Totally agree there but the fun is also a cheeky rebel feeling, a bit like when I wear my Friday socks on a Monday.

I'll get my coat.....

[Aidy]

 friday socks! I am never awake enough to know the difference.

[Jake]

I save broad beans, french beans, garlic, land cress*, chard*, leek, marrows, parsnip, peas, pumpkins, radish (for sprouting)*, runner beans, sweetcorn, squashes, tomatoes, strawflowers, statice, sunflowers, sweet peas, sweet william, corriander, dill, fennel and parsley*.

* The overgrown plants are also hung up for the hens to peck at.

Additionally this year I'm growing beans for drying and seeds to save for sprouting, and letting some shallots go to seed (to try and get some larger [single] bulbs next year).

wow thats loads.

I forgot, I'm growing some haricot beans this year and I'll be saving some of them also.

[Sam K.]

Hi David

How do you select which plants to save the seed from?

Sam