I usually plant as many heirloom vegetables in my garden as I can. First because they taste better. But secondly, because I can save their seeds for next year.

The Difference between Heirloom and Hybrid plants

Heirloom plants will reliably pass on their traits to the next generation of seeds. More in a moment about heirlooms.

Hybrids, on the other hand, will not, as they are cross bred between 2 different varieties. This is most often done to develop certain traits, like fast growing or size or disease resistance. The seeds from these plants often will not reproduce the same plant again next year. Seeds may not grow plants at all, or may only represent the traits on one of the 2 plants used to create the hybrid.

Heirlooms are plants grown from the seeds of the parents plants over and over again. The fruit or vegetable produced is the same as previous generations. To be considered an heirloom variety, the plants must have been in existence prior to 1951- hybrids began being produced in the 1950’s, so all plants prior to then were heirloom varieties.

But a trait I do like is flavor – an heirloom tomato variety tastes so much better than a tomato from a hybrid plant. The heirlooms may be smaller, not as prolific, and not as disease resistant, but I will take the trade off any day.

Another good thing is that when you grow plants repetitively from the same stock, the seeds and resulting plants will begin to adapt to your conditions – the soil, the sun, the temperature in your area. I have really sandy acidic soil form all the Pines in the area. Yes, I mulch, lime and amend the soil. But it’s still unique to my area, and vastly different form someone growing the same seed in California or Georgia. So I will take any help I can get and grow plants that seem to do well in my garden, and especially those that will continue to adapt to my conditions.

I’ve been successfully growing the same varieties of tomatoes for several years, all without buying any new seeds. I particularly like Black Krims, Black Prince, Cherokee purple, and yellow pears. I also have pink tomatoes, and some that are striped or red and green. I’ve actually lost track of some of the names….but what counts for me is the taste.

So how do I save seeds?

It’s very easy. Choose ripe vegetables, even ones overly ripe.

For soft vegetables, tomatoes for example, I cut them open and and spread the fresh seeds out on wax paper or a paper towel. I like the towel better as it will absorb any liquid. I do not wash the seeds prior to drying, but that is just my choice. I wait for them to start to dry, overnight usually, and then use the point of a paring knife to move around and turn over. If the seed sticks to the towel or wax paper, the tip of the knife can loosen it.

I leave them laying out on the counter for several days until thoroughly dry.

With things like beans and peas, I leave the been or pea on the vine until quite large, or until they start to dry. Then take off the vine, & spread out so the pod continues to dry out. Once quite dry, shuck out the dried seeds from inside the shell or bean.

For seeds from a large fruit, like squash, remove the seeds and spread out on a tray to dry before storing.

Put the seeds in envelopes, labeled with what they are and the variety if known, and put away safely until next year. Protect from too much heat or cold. I just ordered seed envelopes this year – mostly because I ran out of old envelopes from around the house to use. But they were really too big.

Will I buy any seeds next year?

You bet! I’ll look for varieties I haven’t grown before. Or if I have used up some of my seeds I may buy a couple heirloom plants I’ve grown before to have a fresh supply of new seeds. And for vegetables that I haven’t mastered collecting seeds form yet – carrots for example – I’ll buy a couple packs of new heirloom seeds.

My favorite suppliers are Burpees, Heirloom Seeds, and Seed Savers. For next year I’m checking out Rare Heirloom Seeds – I’ve seen some new tomato varieties there to try! There are plenty other places to try – a quick Google search may locate someone near you!