1011: Getting Viable Seeds: How to Harvest, Save, and Grow Your Own

With Seed Expert Bill McDorman

Join us for our monthly live Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

What makes a seed viable, and how do you know when it's ready to grow? In this episode of Seed Chat, Greg Peterson of the Urban Farm Podcast joins seed expert Bill McDorman to explore the art and science of harvesting mature, viable seeds from vegetables, fruits, and wild plants. They share practical techniques for saving seeds from cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, and more, explaining when to harvest, how to dry and process seeds, and why nature's built-in diversity matters. The conversation also explores the importance of seed saving, locally adapted varieties, and community seed networks in building a more resilient food system. Their message is simple: when in doubt, save the seeds and see what happens.

Key Topics & EntitiesSeed viability and germination testingSeed maturity and harvesting techniquesSaving cucumber and winter squash seedsHarvesting seeds from grocery-store produceSeed saving from tomatoes, peppers, melons, and applesWet seed processing and fermentationHarvesting and storing beans, peas, and cowpeasLettuce flowering, seed collection, and winnowingNatural reseeding and letting plants self-propagateGenetic diversity and locally adapted seedsNative Seeds/SEARCH and traditional seed varietiesMasanobu Fukuoka and The One-Straw RevolutionGoing to Seed and its seed-sharing programCommunity seed libraries and regional seed networks

Key Questions AnsweredWhat makes a seed viable?

A viable seed is mature enough to germinate and grow into a plant, and it has remained healthy enough to survive conditions such as extreme heat, excessive moisture, and seed-borne pathogens. Seeds don't all become viable at the same moment; there is natural variation within a plant's seed production.

How do you know when cucumbers are ready for seed saving?

Choose a healthy, desirable cucumber and mark it on the vine. Leave it to mature well beyond the eating stage until it becomes large and often turns orange. The seeds should fill out rather than remain flat and immature.

Should winter squash be cured before saving its seeds?

Yes. Leaving winter squash in the field for several days after harvest maturity, particularly during warm weather, allows the seeds to finish maturing before the squash is opened. Summer squash should also be left on the plant well beyond the usual eating stage.

Can you save viable seeds from grocery-store produce?

Often, yes. Tomatoes are