Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán Master Gardener’s Guide to Storing Seeds for Next Season’s Harvest As a gardener, there’s something deeply rewarding about harvesting seeds from your own garden and using them to grow next year’s crop. Not only does it save money—avoiding those $1.50 to $7 per packet costs—but it also allows you to preserve the unique characteristics of the plants you love. Whether you’re saving seeds from cherished heirloom tomatoes, vibrant nasturtiums, or your favorite melons, proper seed storage is key to ensuring they remain viable for the next growing season. Here's how to do it right. 1. Start with the Right Seeds When choosing seeds, opt for heirloom or open-pollinated varieties. These types of seeds will produce plants true to type, meaning the plants you grow next year will be just like the ones you enjoyed this season. Hybrid seeds, while intriguing, may not yield the same results as the parent plant, leading to surprises in your garden. While
About
Hi! My name is Linda Goin, a neurodivergent jack of all trades and master of a few. Gardening is one of my "special interests," a hobby that’s become a full-blown obsession lately, especially with increasing grocery prices. I started learning about gardening from various women when I was five, and it's been a passion ever since.
When my mother passed, I discovered she had earned her Master Gardener’s certification from Clemson University in South Carolina. I decided to get my certification too, mainly to keep her plants alive while I took care of my parents' yard until my father passed in 2020. Unfortunately, he loved using Roundup and managed to kill many plants--along with the weeds--when I wasn’t around. I ended up selling the house after he died, but not before transplanting some of my mom’s original plants to various gardens in my hometown (including mine).
Recently, I had an "aha" moment and realized my walk-out basement stays cool enough to grow cool-season vegetables year-round. It's not easy, but I'm figuring it out and excited to share what I’ve learned with you all. Grow lights are involved.
Remember, don’t take everything I say as the absolute truth. I do my research and spend my money on experiments based on that research. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. My experiences are just that—mine. Hopefully, you can learn from them like I do, and if you have questions, feel free to ask. I’ll share expert links along the way for you to conduct your own research.
Happy planting!
Address: Zone 6b (-5°F to 0°F), according to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone Map
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