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Saving Vegetable Seed

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Seeds left over from the previous year may or may not be satisfactory for planting, depending on the kind of seed and how it was stored. Most unused seed should be stored cool and dry.

Sweet corn, onion and parsnips lose their germinating ability rapidly, while other common vegetables may give satisfactory stands after three years of storage. Sow old seed thicker than new seed to produce desired stands.

Discard seed of unknown quality and age. You can run germination tests, but they are not always accurate on old seed. Some kinds of old seed may have enough strength to germinate but not be strong enough to emerge from the soil.

Buying fresh seeds each year is the best policy. Home grown seeds often have been cross-pollinated, and the result will be lower yields and variable quality. This is true of all hybrids on the market today. Leave vegetable seed production to the commercial seed growers. They specialize in production of high quality seed.

If you have further questions, please contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information.

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For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/