Why buy all new seeds for your spring garden when you can save the seeds from your existing garden right now in fall?! Why not get a head start on planning your spring garden? Better yet, get a head start on gathering your seeds! Did you know that many of the veggies growing in your garden could bring you a bounty for years to come by saving the seeds each fall? In this post, I will show you step by step how to save fermented seeds for planting in your garden next year!

What Are Fermented Seeds
So before we get into how to save fermented seeds for planting next year, we definitely need to go over what fermented seeds are!
To ferment seeds, you would begin by removing the seeds and pulp from the vegetable. Then you would submerge the seeds in just enough water to cover. Then, leave the seeds to set at room temperature for about 3-5 days.
This fermentation process is used to enhance germination for seeds that would otherwise have difficulty germinating.

Good Candidates For The Fermented Seed Saving Method
So what seeds are good candidates for the fermented seed saving method? Seeds that work well with this method are seeds that are encased in a gel substance inside the plant.
These types of seeds are wound in many summer garden favorites such as tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and others.

All of these veggies have seeds that are embedded in a pulp. That pulp is more gel like on some veggies than others, but the fermentations seed saving method works well for all of these.
This is because the fermentation process works to break away this gel substance and help the seed dry properly. Without fermentation, the seeds may not germinate very well. The gel is meant to keep the seeds from germinating while still in the plant.
How To Save Fermented Seeds For Planting
So how do you actually ferment and save the seeds? Follow these step by step instructions to learn how!
- Cut open your plant and scoop out the seeds into a clean mason jar. The seeds will be accompanied by pulp. That’s ok!

- Add just enough water to submerge the seeds and loosely cover with a towel or lid.
- Allow to set for about 4 days stirring a couple times each day.

- After the four days, use a wooden scoop or your hand to scoop out the pulp and any seeds that floated to the top.

- Dump the remaining seeds and liquid through a strainer and rinse the jar.

- Add the seeds back into jar and fill halfway with water. Add a lid and swish vigorously. Repeat a few times until it appears that the gel is washed off of the seeds.

- Strain the seeds again through a strainer, and place the seeds on a ceramic or glass plate, and allow to dry at room temperature for several days.

- Once the seeds are dry the process is complete.
How To Store Your Fermented Seeds
Now that you have your fermented seeds, it’s time to store them until the next garden season. When storing seeds, always store them in an airtight bag or container. Label the bag or container with the vegetable and the variety. Always add the year to your label as well.
Store you seeds in a dry dark location. It’s important to keep seeds away from moisture and light so that no overambitious seeds begin the initial steps of germination.

A Bonus Note On Saving Fermented Seeds For Planting
Another important note when saving seeds is that you should only choose seeds from heirloom plants. Avoid saving seeds from hybrid plants as these will not produce a “true breed” plant next year.
Hybrid plants are a pure single variety that has been preserved over at least 50 years through planting and seed saving.
Hybrid plants are plants that are crosspollinated for a particular effect or quality.
We hope you found this post to be helpful and encouraging!
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