Example Article for Broadwater County Extension Agent
Saving Garden Seeds
Author: Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
Article Published: 09/11/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 10Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
Even though there is some excitement associated with flipping through seed catalogs during the middle of winter, saving your own seeds is also a good way to regenerate your garden every year. Saving seeds can save money, preserve high-quality plants and provide the opportunity to share varieties with others. While seed saving can be complicated, there are some easy ways to get started.
First, it’s important to understand basic terminology related to seeds starting with hybrid, heirloom and open-pollinated. Hybrids are very common and result from a controlled breeding process. Many hybrids are F1 hybrids which means they are the first generation of crosses. If you save seeds from these plants, they would be F2 hybrids (second generation). The second generation will not result in the same characteristics as the first, and it is generally not recommended to save seeds from hybrids.
Heirlooms are naturally pollinated plants that are developed outside of the commercial horticulture industry and often have historical or cultural significance. They can either self-pollinate or cross-pollinate and can be good choices for saving seeds.
Open pollinated plants are naturally pollinated by wind or pollinators. Plants that self-pollinate such as tomatoes, peas and beans are great choices for saving seeds. Plants that cross-pollinate such as corn, cucumber, squash and carrots are more difficult to save seeds from because they must be isolated from other varieties in your garden or from close neighbors.
Next, it’s important to understand plant life cycles. An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in one year. A biennial completes its life cycle in two years. Perennials have a life cycle of more than two years. Annuals are typically easier to save seeds from. Biennials don’t go to seed until the second year, so you must overwinter the plants and get them to regrow to collect seeds during the second season. Examples of biennials are beets, cabbage and carrots. Perennials take more research before saving seeds because not all perennial plants are started by seeds and may not breed true.
The easiest plants to save seeds from are self-pollinating non-hybrid annual plants. Examples are beans, peas, lettuce, tomato, peppers and eggplant. The next step is cross-pollinated annuals which must be isolated. Examples of intermediate seed saving plants are corn, cucumber, radish, spinach, squash and pumpkins. More advanced choices are cross-pollinated biennials which require two years and isolation to save the seeds. Examples are beets, swiss chard, brassica (broccoli, cabbage, kale, etc.), carrots, parsnip and onion.
There are two methods to collect and save seeds. The dry method works well for peas, beans, carrots, peppers, most flowers and most herbs. It is best to leave the seeds on these plants until they dry. You can also hang the whole plant or pods upside down until they dry. Once dry, you can harvest the seeds.
The wet method works well with fleshy fruits such tomatoes and cucumber. Pick fully ripe fruit and scoop out the seeds into a container of water. Allow the solution to ferment for several days. Stir occasionally. Viable seeds will eventually settle to the bottom and nonviable seeds will float. Pour off the nonviable seeds and water. Rinse viable seeds and dry on a paper towel.
Many plants have tricks that help make the seed saving process successful. To learn more about seed saving, join us for a free community workshop on Monday, September 21st at 6:00 pm in Townsend. All participants will get hands-on experience in seed saving and will get to take some home. Space is limited.
For more information or to RSVP, contact MSU Extension in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242 or broadwater@montana.edu.
