Saving seeds is a home gardening tradition that’s coming back into its own. Only a few generations ago, people learned to save seeds as part of the ordinary seasonal routine, working alongside their parents, grandparents, or neighbors. Locally grown seed, including a diverse patchwork of family heirloom varieties, was the norm.
Times have changed, and unless you live near one of the world centers of seed production, most of the seed you buy at garden centers or from large mail-order seed companies was grown far away, in climate conditions very different from those where you live. Also, you’ve probably had the experience of learning to like and rely on favorite varieties of crops but then discovered that they had disappeared from seed company catalogs.
The development of the modern seed industry has served the interest of large-scale agriculture and has proven to be a profitable business, especially for the small group of large corporations that now control most of the world’s seed. But as the amount of commercially available seed has grown, the numbers of different types of seeds have diminished. Large commercial seed companies focus their seed production on only the most profitable varieties. This includes breeding new F1 hybrid varieties that offer the characteristics large-scale farming operations need most, such as uniformity of ripening and fruit that withstands rough handling.
Many home gardeners and small-scale farmers are questioning whether this model of centralized seed production is best for them. They worry about losing genetic diversity, and they seek seed varieties that offer excellent flavor and texture and are produced in their region. They want seed that has been produced using organic and sustainable methods, because that’s how they grow their crops.
The exciting news is that there’s a resurgence of small seed companies focusing on varieties that are well adapted to their regions, and some are using sustainable growing methods and even offering certified organic seed. Along with that, there’s a rekindled excitement about home seed saving. Gardeners from coast to coast are discovering that saving seed can be a new way to have fun in the garden. Once you learn the basics, it’s easy to save seeds from such crops as beans, tomatoes, and lettuce. Saving seeds of other crops, such as carrots and squash, poses more of a challenge but can be mastered with time. Join the new seed-saving generation! You’ll quickly discover the joy of saving seeds and sharing your homegrown seeds and knowledge with fellow gardeners through seed-swapping groups, seed exchanges, and community gardens.