Learn About Seed Savers Exchange and Seed Saving

What Is Seed Savers Exchange?

Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit organization founded in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. The organization operates from Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa, where it maintains one of the largest collections of heirloom and vegetable seeds in North America. Seed Savers Exchange focuses on preserving genetic diversity in food crops and supporting gardeners who want to save their own seeds.

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The organization has grown from a small family project into a network of over 13,000 members across the United States and internationally. Members share seeds, knowledge, and stories about growing food plants. The organization publishes an annual Seed Savers Exchange catalog that lists thousands of varieties available from member gardeners, making it one of the most comprehensive sources of heirloom vegetable seeds in the country.

Seed Savers Exchange maintains a seed bank that preserves thousands of rare and endangered plant varieties. Many of these varieties are no longer available from commercial seed companies. The organization documents detailed growing information for each variety, including days to maturity, plant height, flavor descriptions, and historical background. This information helps gardeners understand which varieties might work best in their growing conditions.

The mission of Seed Savers Exchange centers on preventing the genetic erosion of food crops caused by industrial agriculture. According to the organization, we have lost approximately 93 percent of vegetable varieties that existed in 1900. By maintaining these seeds and sharing them among gardeners, Seed Savers Exchange works to preserve crop varieties that have been developed over generations by families and farming communities.

Practical Takeaway: Seed Savers Exchange is a membership organization that functions as both a seed library and a network of gardeners working to preserve plant diversity. Understanding the organization's history and structure helps gardeners decide whether membership aligns with their interests in growing heirloom varieties and saving seeds.

How Seed Saving Works: The Basics

Seed saving is the practice of collecting, storing, and replanting seeds from plants grown in your garden or yard. The process allows gardeners to preserve plant varieties they like, reduce expenses by not purchasing seeds every year, and maintain plants that are adapted to their local climate and soil conditions. Seed saving has been practiced by farmers and gardeners for thousands of years and remains one of the most practical ways to maintain food security and plant diversity.

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The first step in seed saving involves understanding plant reproduction. Some plants are self-pollinating, meaning they pollinate themselves without needing pollen from another plant. Beans, peas, lettuce, and tomatoes are self-pollinating plants, making them among the easiest for beginners to save seeds from. Cross-pollinating plants require pollen from another plant of the same species to produce seeds. Squash, corn, melons, and carrots are cross-pollinating plants and require more planning to save pure varieties.

Timing is crucial when collecting seeds. Seeds must be fully mature, which usually means waiting until the plant's seed pod or fruit has dried significantly. For tomatoes, allow fruits to mature fully on the plant, then remove seeds and let them ferment in water for a few days before drying. For beans and peas, leave pods on the plant until the pods dry and turn brown or papery. For herbs like basil and dill, wait until flowers have finished blooming and the seed heads have turned brown before harvesting.

Proper drying and storage preserve seed viability for future seasons. Seeds should be dried to a moisture content of around 5 to 10 percent before storage. This typically requires spreading seeds on a clean surface in a warm, dry location with good air circulation for one to four weeks, depending on seed size and humidity. Once dried, store seeds in paper envelopes or glass containers in a cool, dark place. A basement, root cellar, or refrigerator works well. Many gardeners use silica gel packets or dried rice inside storage containers to absorb any remaining moisture.

Practical Takeaway: Seed saving involves harvesting mature seeds, drying them properly, and storing them in cool, dry conditions. Start with self-pollinating plants like tomatoes, beans, and lettuce, which produce true seeds that will grow into plants identical to the parent plant.

Types of Seeds and Seed Saving Complexity

Not all seeds are equally simple to save. Understanding the differences between seed types helps gardeners choose which varieties to start with and what techniques they may need to learn. The primary distinction is between self-pollinating and cross-pollinating plants, but seed viability and storage life also vary considerably between species.

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Self-pollinating plants are the best starting point for beginners. These plants produce pure seeds because pollen from one flower fertilizes the same flower or other flowers on the same plant. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, lettuce, basil, and carrots are self-pollinating. When you save seeds from these plants, the resulting plants will be nearly identical to their parent plants. This means heirloom varieties remain true to type, preserving the specific characteristics that make them valuable.

Cross-pollinating plants present greater challenges because they require pollen from separate plants to produce seeds. Squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, and corn are cross-pollinating. If you grow multiple varieties of squash in the same garden, they will cross-pollinate and produce hybrid seeds with mixed characteristics. To save pure varieties of cross-pollinating plants, gardeners must isolate plants by significant distance (typically 100 feet to 1 mile, depending on the plant), stagger planting times, or use hand-pollination techniques.

Seed viability varies by species. Some seeds, like lettuce and onion seeds, remain viable for only two to three years. Others, like bean seeds and squash seeds, can remain viable for five to ten years or longer under proper storage conditions. Carrot and parsnip seeds have lower viability and should be used within two years. Seed Savers Exchange publications provide specific viability information for each variety, helping gardeners plan when to replant saved seeds.

Biennial plants add another layer of complexity. Carrots, beets, celery, cabbage, and onions are biennials, meaning they grow leafy plants in the first year and produce seeds in the second year. In cold climates, this requires either leaving plants in the ground through winter or digging them up, storing them properly, and replanting them the following spring. This process demands more planning and storage space but remains entirely practical for dedicated seed savers.

Practical Takeaway: Begin seed saving with self-pollinating plants, which produce true seeds easily. Learn about plant type and seed viability before attempting to save seeds from more complex cross-pollinating or biennial varieties. Resources from Seed Savers Exchange provide this information for each variety.

Seed Savers Exchange Membership and Resources

Seed Savers Exchange offers membership to individuals interested in seed saving and plant preservation. Membership typically costs between $50 and $65 annually, with reduced rates sometimes available for students and seniors. Members receive the annual Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook, a detailed catalog featuring thousands of heirloom vegetable varieties available from member gardeners. The Yearbook includes descriptions of each variety, growing instructions, days to maturity, and contact information for members offering seeds.

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The Yearbook represents a unique resource that distinguishes Seed Savers Exchange from commercial seed catalogs. Unlike commercial catalogs that feature seeds a company produces, the Yearbook contains listings from individual gardeners offering seeds they have grown and saved. This creates a direct network between seed savers, allowing gardeners to obtain seeds for varieties no longer available commercially. Many varieties in the Yearbook appear nowhere else, making membership valuable for those seeking specific heirlooms or regional varieties.

Beyond the catalog, Seed Savers Exchange provides information resources for members. The organization publishes a newsletter with articles about seed saving techniques, profiles of notable seed savers, and updates on preservation efforts. Members can participate in local chapters or groups that meet to exchange seeds and share growing experiences. The organization also maintains a website with articles, growing guides, and information about seed storage and processing techniques.

Seed Savers Exchange operates Heritage Farm in Iowa, which visitors may tour during certain seasons. The farm displays heirloom varieties, offers seed-saving demonstrations, and hosts educational workshops. These events provide opportunities to learn hands-on techniques and see how professional seed savers manage large quantities of seeds. For those unable to visit in