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
.jpg)
