Saving seeds

[jwahlton]

I went to a gardening workshop a few months ago and they talked about saving seeds. So how do you do that? For instance I've got some nice Strawberry plants going now. Are there any "seeds" I can save for next year? Or broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc? 'splain to me please

[pedspeech]

From the things you are describing, I'm betting you don't live in south MS like I do! I don't know anything about those veggies, but strawberries (down here anyway) come back every year. They put out runners and spread out like crazy.

For things like squash, pumpkin, etc. you just spread out the seeds until they are completely dry, then store them in a dark cool place.

[jwahlton]

I'm in Florida. So I don't have to do anything to the strawberries? Currently they are in pots on my patio. I'm not sure if I'm going to plant in the ground or not. Running out of garden space!

So how does broccoli and brussel sprouts or tomatoes get seeds? I can understand pumpkins, etc, but how about other veggies that don't have seeds?

[slurppey]

With broccoli the part you eat is actually a big flower head. If it is not picked it will go to seed, producing a mass of small yellow flowers, which will contain the seeds. Tomato seeds are inside the tomato and useable when the tomato is ripe. Most annual flower seeds are contained in the spent flowers, which are really easy to save. You just pick them after they've died back (dead-heading) let them dry for a few more days, then put them in a baggie and lable.
Beware of saving seed from hybrid varieties. The results of the saved seed is likely to be less than satisfying for you. After that first generation of seedlings, a hybridized plant is pretty unpredictable regarding offspring.
The seeds will either be sterile, or the seedlings will revert to the parent plants, which are each different from their offspring. Some hybrids are labled F1, but many are not labled at all. You might have to do some research.

[pedspeech]

I am surprised that you can grow broccoli down there! I wanted it but didn't think I would have success this far south. How did it turn out?

[jwahlton]

Originally Posted by pedspeech I am surprised that you can grow broccoli down there! I wanted it but didn't think I would have success this far south. How did it turn out?

Well the plants are doing great. I went to a workshop and they guy said he had broccoli coming out of his ears last winter! Apparently it does well here in Florida