THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510200095
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
THIS IS THE time of year when plants form seedheads. Some already may have dropped seed on the soil. Others are letting it continue to dry, ready to grow a crop next year.
The question then arises, ``Should I pick and save my own seed?''
Aside from the work involved, Michigan State University experts say there are real drawbacks to collecting seed from this year's crops for planting next year's garden. First is that for open-pollinated varieties, each variety must be isolated from all others to avoid cross-pollination.
Most popular varieties of garden vegetables and flowers are hybrids. They are produced by carefully controlled crosses.
In the genetic mixing that occurs when these plants are pollinated in your garden, desirable characteristics are usually lost. The plants grown from such seed will be a motley mix of traits. Quality will be inconsistent at best, and yields will probably be low.
Most homeowners also don't have facilities to store home-grown seed at the proper temperature and humidity level to ensure good germination next spring.
Seed stored at home may become contaminated with disease organisms or infested with insects.
About the only justification for saving home-grown seed is to preserve old-time varieties that are difficult or impossible to find anymore.
Collecting and saving home-grown seed to try to save money on your garden is false economy. If the seed you plant isn't top quality, the rest of the time and money spent preparing and caring for your garden is wasted.
Seed is one of the least costly elements of your garden. Rather than trying to save your own, buy fresh each spring. by CNB