Seed saving and sharing

Seed saving and sharing can save you money and open the door to learning about plants.

First, always save seeds from open-pollinated plants: plants pollinated openly by wind, rain or flying critters. Heirloom seeds are included in this category because the saved seeds have produced “true to type” plants for fifty years or more. Hybrid plants are sterile and the seeds will not grow true to form.

Harvesting self-pollinating seeds such as beans and peas: Let them dry on the plant, then pick the pods to shell. Thresh the pods by hand. The chaff can be winnowed by tossing the pods in the wind and c...