Saving Seeds: The Gardener's Guide to Growing and Storing Vegetable and Flower Seeds (A Down-to-Earth Gardening Book) (Paperback)

by Marc Rogers (Author), Polly Alexander (Illustrator) "A sneeze several years ago started me along the circuitous route toward growing seeds to save..." (more)
Key Phrases: seed shatters, having separate male, rows three feet, Mustard Family, United States, Acephala Group (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This compact, clearly written book explains how to select, harvest, and store seeds from more than 100 vegetables and flowers commonly grown in home gardens. It is packed with common-sense advice including how to pollinate, how to avoid unwanted crosses, and which plant qualities to look for. Novice and skilled gardeners alike will wish to experiment with this rewarding and satisfying practice. Those seeking information on the history behind the principles of saving seeds may enjoy Gary Paul Nabhan's Enduring Seeds: Native American Agriculture and Wild Plant Conservation ( LJ 3/1/89). Recommended for gardening collections.
- Annette Aiello, Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst . , Panama
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover
Looking for something to add excitement and interest to your garden? Try raising and saving seeds for your own vegetables and flowers!

Saving seeds is a time-honored tradition -- one that more and more gardeners are rediscovering. It can be as simple as growing a few extra peas or beans for next year's use or as challenging as wintering over cabbage heads, waiting for the flower stalks to poke up in the spring.

Any gardener can become a successful seed saver -- the only limitations are your time, space, and interest. And the benefits of growing and saving your own seeds are many:

* You can save money on expensive yearly seed bills.
* You can select seed each year from the plants best suited to your garden and your particular growing conditions.
* You can help preserve old-time and regional favorites -- heirloom vegetables and flowers that your grandparents grew, but that are often hard to find these days.
* You can share seeds from your own favorite flowers and vegetables with family, friends, neighbors, and other gardeners.

This book will tell you all you need to know about how to raise, harvest, and store seeds for the easiest-to-grow and most popular vegetables and ornamental plants. Each vegetable and flower is discusses in detail. And Saving Seeds answers hundreds of frequently asked gardening questions:

* Will cucumbers cross with melons or squash?
* Do some weeds cross with vegetables?
* Should I avoid raising hybrids for seed?
* How can I raise seeds that will produce earlier crops? Tastier crops?

Originally published in 1978 as Growing and Saving Vegetable Seeds, Marc Roger's popular and practical guide has now been thoroughly updated to include the best ornamental flowers to grow for seed.

Seed-saving can be a fascinating lifelong hobby for any serious (or frugal) home gardener. And Saving Seeds can help get you started.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Revised edition (January 3, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882666347
• ISBN-13: 978-0882666341
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,024 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revive an almost lost heritage! Save Your Non-Hybrid Seeds, February 8, 1999

By A Customer

Saving seeds is a time-honored tradition. This book tells you all you need to know about how to raise, harvest, and store seeds for the easiest-to-grow and most popular vegetables and ornamental plants. Answers hundreds of frequently asked gardening questions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saving Money, August 7, 2008

By	Eric J. Ladnier "Dead At 40" (Pass Christian MS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is hard to justify spending money on anything when you live in poverty, but I thought that this book may pay for itself. I was right. I have only had it for a few months, and already it has helped me to grow enough food to pay for itself. My plan is to completely stop buying seeds within 3 years, and if all of the points in this book work as good as the ones that I have already used I see no problem with sticking with that plan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for vegetable gardeners, July 22, 2008

By	A. M. Ferrell (Tipp City, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book so I could start harvesting my own seeds for vegetable gardening. This is the exact reference I was looking for. Each veggie detailed with instructions for selecting, protecting from cross polination, harvesting and storing. Lots of info for flowers too, but flower seed harvesting is much more straight forward, so I think it is covered appropriately.