Saving Heirloom Seeds

Open-pollinated heirlooms grow true to type, so you can save seed and pass it on—an act of stewardship generations old.

1. Choose your healthiest, most productive plants as seed parents.
2. For beans and peas, let pods dry completely on the plant, then shell and store the seeds.
3. For tomatoes, scoop seeds into a jar with a little water, let them ferment 2–3 days, rinse, and dry on a plate.
4. Dry all seeds thoroughly, then store them in labeled paper envelopes inside an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.
5. Most seeds stay viable for 3–5 years when stored well.