Harvesting vegetable seeds

It’s mid-September and gardens are slowing down, so our attention turns to next season

If there are favorite vegetables that you would like to have in next year’s garden, it may be possible to save seeds from them. It is important to save seeds from crops that have a good probability of keeping the same characteristics; these are self-pollinated crops.

For all vegetables, select fully mature fruit that is disease-free. Many diseases can be carried in the seed; inspect all fruit closely to make sure there are no disease issues. Start with clean fruit by washing the fruit to remove any debris.

Cleaning and saving seed is a very hands-on, messy process.

Tomatoes. Cut fruit in half; squeeze the fleshy jelly, releasing seed from the seed pockets. Jelly will still surround the seed, which needs to be cleaned off to ensure the seed dries and stores properly. Place seed in a mesh strainer; holes in colanders are too large and the small seed of tomatoes will slip through. Disentangle seeds by gently rubbing. Do not be too harsh with the seed, as the seed coat can be damaged by nicking and the seed will be inviable. When seed is clean, blot excess moisture and transfer to waxed paper or parchment paper; do not use paper towels as seed will stick to toweling making it difficult to separate from the seed. Dry away from direct sunlight. During the drying process, move seed frequently. When clean seed is completely dry place in a plastic baggie or coin envelope. Label with type (tomato), variety, harvest date, and amount.

Peppers. Cut open fruit and dislodge seeds from the placenta, the meaty light-colored tissue in the center of the pepper. If cleaning peppers with any heat, be certain to use latex gloves as the oil in the peppers contain capsaicin, an oil which can be absorbed by and damage soft tissues like eyes and lips. After dislodging seed, clean and dry as for tomatoes.

Eggplant. Cut fruit in half. Seeds will be hard and dark yellow if mature. Seed will be embedded in the thick flesh so follow the pattern as for tomatoes.

Beans. Pods need to completely dry on the vine. Harvest pods and keep in cool dark area for several more weeks. Separate bean seed from the pod chaff; place in envelopes as above.