Save Seeds, Save Money: How to Harvest, Dry & Store for Next Year's Garden - Episode 42

Save seeds, save money! 🌱 Shannon and Cait share how to harvest, dry, and store seeds from flowers and veggies—plus which ones actually come true next year and which don't.

It's seed-saving season! We walk through exactly how to collect, dry, label, and store seeds from flowers and veggies you're growing right now—and how this simple habit can save you real money year after year. Learn what must dry on the plant vs. what you can scoop from ripe fruit, how to tell chaff from viable seed, and simple storage tricks that preserve germination.

We chat zinnias, dahlias, celosia, echinacea, foxglove, nigella, arugula, cilantro/coriander, tomatoes, peppers, shelling beans, peas, favas, and more—plus quick tips on F1 hybrids vs. heirlooms so you know what will (and won't) come true next year.

Show Notes:

• Cucumber note: Diamant & Diva are F1 (don't expect true-to-type from saved seed).

• Zinnia note: Queeny Red Lime (saving is fun, but to keep it "true," you'd need to bag blooms to prevent cross-pollination).

• Varieties mentioned by name: Celosia 'Sangria', Nigella 'Albion', Black Krim (heirloom), Chef's Choice (F1), piquillo & Calabrian peppers, Nairobi snap peas.