Seed Saving – Keeping the Cycle Going
- Anna Axisa
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 8
There’s something I really love about saving my own seeds each season. It feels a bit like keeping the heartbeat of the garden alive. Each seed holds a little story of where it grew, what the weather was like, and the care that went into it.
Saving seeds means I don’t have to rely so much on what’s available in stores. Over time, the plants adapt to our soil and climate, getting stronger and more resilient each year. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference, for the garden, for the wallet, and for that quiet sense of self-reliance.
Plus, it’s honestly just a really nice rhythm to fall into… letting some plants go to seed, collecting them, labelling jars and envelopes, knowing that next season’s garden is already waiting in your hands.
🌱 Sow Your Best Growers Every Year — and Save Money!
Saving your own seeds involves collecting the seeds from your home-grown vegetables and herbs. You allow the best plants to flower and ‘go to seed,’ then collect the pods once they’re ready.
Saving seeds not only gives you great value and saves money on buying new ones, but it also reduces the waste and packaging involved with store-bought products. It’s a small act that adds up to a big difference.
I’ll explain the three main seed types below to help you get started:
Dry Seed Crops
Dry seed crops are plants that flower and then produce dry seeds — like broccoli, lettuce, and beets. Harvest the seeds as soon as they turn brown and dry, and store them in a paper bag or bowl.
Wet Seed Crops
Wet seed crops are those collected from the inside of mature fruit, such as pumpkins, zucchinis, and cucumbers. Rinse the seeds well, spread them on paper towel, and let them dry completely before storing.
Fermenting Seeds
Some seeds — like tomatoes — need to be fermented before drying. Simply soak them in water for a few days, stirring regularly. Once a layer of mould forms on top, strain and rinse the seeds, then lay them out to dry. This process helps remove the protective gel coating so they germinate better next season.
A Story Sown
A seed in hand, a promise small,
Of sun and rain, of life for all.
Beneath the soil, a quiet start,
A tiny pulse, the garden’s heart.
With care it sleeps, then breaks to grow,
Stretching upward, soft and slow.
Each leaf and bloom, a tale to tell,
Of seasons passed and tending well.
Save them, plant them, year by year,
A legacy of love grows here.
From one small seed, a world is known,
And every garden tells a story sown.
🌿 Keep Growing with Me
I’ve shared more about my organic gardening journey — including a full chapter on seed saving — in my book Homegrown Healthy Living.
Grab your copy here to learn more about growing and living naturally, or join my mailing list to get your free Living by Nature Gardening Workbook, full of tips and inspiration from our homestead.
