Be a Seed Shaker Which Are Worth Saving

Описание: Presenters: Christina Lueking and Kim Rohling, Extension horticulture educators

The talk covers seed basics, history, reasons to save seeds, species worth saving, collection methods (dry vs wet), isolation techniques, storage, stratification, and germination testing. Seed saving supports self-reliance, cost savings, selection for desirable traits (yield, size, aroma, color, flavor, form), and community sharing through swaps and libraries.

3:58 - Preserving seeds maintains agrobiodiversity, enhances climate resilience and food security, and sustains cultural heritage via heirloom, open-pollinated varieties that breed true.

10:24 - Hybrids (F1) and GMO/patented seeds often don’t breed true, may be sterile, or are illegal to save; check labels and consider Open Source Seed Initiative varieties for unrestricted use.

14:36 - Easy starter crops include peas, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums, poppies, snapdragons, sunflowers, and morning glories; prioritize healthy, mature seed heads.

15:47 - Isolation options: timing and distance (feet to miles depending on pollination), physical barriers (organza bags, row covers), hand pollination, staggered plantings, and even enclosed tunnels with introduced pollinators.

36:20 - Dry harvest: let pods/heads mature and dry, cut and cure 1–3 weeks, thresh and clean to remove chaff; wet harvest: ferment fleshy seeds (tomato, cucumber) 2–4 days, decant floaters, dry 2–4 weeks; pumpkins need pulp removal but no fermentation.

41:09 - Storage: fully dry seeds first, then label with species/variety/date; use paper for short term, airtight glass and cool, dry, dark conditions (refrigeration) for longer term; use hammer/fingernail tests for dryness.

41:34 - Germination testing: place 10 seeds on moist towel in a bag, warm spot, check to final expected date; interpret rates (90–100% excellent, 75–89% sow thicker, less than 75% consider overseeding or replacing; greater than 50% generally replace).

45:28 - Some species need stratification (cold, moist 34–38°F) or scarification (sandpaper, hot water) to break dormancy; numerous native examples and timing cues given, with resources from Illinois Extension, Seed Savers Exchange, and Prairie Moon Nursery.

This webinar was originally recorded on September 30, 2025.
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