We’re excited to be collecting seed from the garden in earnest this year. There was a steep learning curve, beginning with understanding the factors making some plants we grow unsuitable for seed saving, followed by learning the techniques to employ on the suitable plants.
For the 22 crops/varieties we selected, our seed saving progress will be tracked on the table below. We’ll continue to add information as it becomes available. Seed viability will be tested before our seed ordering in 2025. Wish us luck!
| Crop | Variety | Collected | Quantity | Comments | Viability |
| Arugula | standard organic | Sep-Oct | >500 | Seed matures slowly, delicate to process. | |
| Bachelor’s Buttons | Black Magic | October | @50 | Dried seed from mature flower heads. | |
| Beans, Fava | Vroma | July | 40-50 | Left to mature on plant, easy to collect. | |
| Beans, Lima | Christmas Pole | Aug-Oct | ~ | Decided not to save this variety. | ~ |
| Beans, Runner | Black Coat | Aug-Oct | 20 | Process same as dried beans. | |
| Beans, Soy | Tankuro | August | ~ | Critters got to seed first. Pull early or cage to protect? | ~ |
| Calendula | Orange Flash | October | @50 | Dried seed from mature flower heads. | |
| Cilantro | Caribe | Aug-Sep | >100 | Seed matures slowly, plants are fragile. | |
| Corn | Early Pink popcorn | September | 100 | Harvest same for saving as for popping. | |
| Ground Cherries | Aunt Molly’s | September | @100 | Processed with water. | |
| Malabar Spinach | (Burpee) | September | 30-40 | Trying simple drying (no fermentation). | |
| Marigolds | Red Gem | Sep-Oct | @250 | Dried seed from mature flower heads. | |
| Nasturtiums | Orchid Flame | October | @100 | Dried capers. | |
| Okra | Jing Orange | October | 150 | Left to mature on plant; takes months. | |
| Sesame | Black & Tan | September | 60-70 | Harvest same for saving as for eating. | |
| Stock | Stox Champagne | ~ | ~ | Decided not to save this variety. | ~ |
| Sunflowers | Mammoth Grey Stripe | September | ~ | Critters got to seed first. Cut a section early for drying? | ~ |
| Tomato | 4th of July | September | >100 | Processed through fermentation. | |
| Tomato | Black Cherry | September | 50-60 | Processed through fermentation. | |
| Tomato | Green Zebra | September | 50-60 | Processed through fermentation. | |
| Tomato | Plum Regal | September | 40-50 | Processed through fermentation. | |
| Watermelon | Sugar Baby | August | 60-70 | Easy to collect seed when eating. |
