Subject Guides
The Sustainability Hub
Seed Saving
Saving seeds from one season is essential for planting in the following season. The Seed Library encourages all of its users to save the seeds that they grow, whether it is to use them in the same garden next year, or donate back to the Seed Library and restock for all to use! Saving seeds is not always an easy task, but with a little extra research, planning, and care, anyone can save their seeds!
In order to save your seeds, you must determine if your plant is an open-pollinated variety, or heirloom, meaning that they will pass on their distinct traits generation after generation! You should also determine if your plant is annual, biennial, or perennial, in order to know if the plant will produce viable seeds this season. Learning how each plant pollinates can help to determine useful isolation methods before harvesting! Finally, you must know when the seeds of your plant are mature. This may be after the fruit becomes edible, so you might have to leave a few in the garden to fully mature!
When the seeds are finally mature, they can be collected and stored! Seeds of dry fruited crops can generally be handpicked, while wet fruited crops must be cut open to extract seeds from the flesh and pulp. Once the seeds are cleaned and dried, they must be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place for the next growing season!
Seed Saving Resources
A lot of growing, harvesting, and seed saving information and techniques are specific to a type of plant. Do your own research to find out how best you can save seeds from your own plants! The resources below include online sources and books from our Sustainability Collection that are available to be checked out!
- Seed Savers ExchangeThis non-profit organization has many online resources and information on planting, growing, harvesting, and saving countless different seeds. Click on the link to visit the website!
- Seeds of DiversityThis webpage directs to various other seed saving resources. Click on links to learn more about cleaning seeds, drying seeds, or storing seeds!
- Hudson Valley Seed Company: Ultimate Seed Saving CompendiumThis seed company has a compilation of online information, including the importance of seed saving and plant specific tutorials on how to grow, harvest, and dry seeds! They also offer further sources to continue learning and tools to use!
Click on any book cover below for more information!
Seed Saving Equipment
Are you looking to save seeds, but don't have the equipment to do it? The Binghamton University Seed Library has a wide range of equipment available for anyone to use! Check out some examples below:
- Blossom BagsThese bags protect plants from pests and cross-pollination. You can use blossom bags for tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and more!
- Corn Shoot BagsThese bags protect plants from pests and cross-pollination. You can use corn shoot bags to protect the ear shoot of corn!
- Corn Tassel BagsThese bags protect plants from pests and cross-pollination. You can use corn shoot bags to protect the tassel of corn!
- Lettuce BagsThese bags protect plants from pests and cross-pollination. Lettuce bags are also used to catch tiny, light seeds before they can blow away!
- Flour Sack TowelsThese towels are great for drying seeds of wet fruited crops such as tomatoes!
- Hanging Mesh DryerThis three level hanging dryer is perfect for herbs, flowers, and even light vegetables!
- Mesh BagsThese mesh bags are great for drying garlic and beans!
- Glassine PacketsThese air and water resistant packets are great for long-term storage of seeds!
- Foil Seed EnvelopesThese foil lined packets are great for long term storage in a refrigerator or freezer!
Fill out the form below if you are interested in using any of the Binghamton University Seed Library's seed saving equipment!
Donate to our Seed Library!
If you've harvested, cleaned, and dried your seeds after a successful growing season, you can now donate back to our Seed Library! Please stop by the front desk in the Science Library any time to drop off your donation! You will be provided with a form to fill out information you know about the seeds you are donating. This form is also attached below if you'd like to print it or just take a look before bringing in your donation!
- Seed Donation Form (Single)Use this form to fill out information for a single seed donation!
- Seed Donation Form (Double)Use this link if you have more than one type of seed to donate in order to save paper!
Become a Binghamton University Seed Steward!
- Last Updated: Sep 30, 2024 1:19 PM
- URL: https://libraryguides.binghamton.edu/sustainability
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