Growing Heirloom Seeds & Seed Saving

Presented by Daniel Botkin

Heirloom seeds are families of seeds that are passed from one generation to the next for growing select plants. Learn about growing heirloom seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Series Summary

Organic gardening: more than just a hobby. Today we know that many of the pesticides, fertilizers, and treatments used in commercial and home agriculture are hazardous to the environment. Whereas at one point in history it was ‘okay’ to drain all the nutrients from the soil and poison any insects living there, rendering the land dead and stagnant, and then simply move on to fresher pastures, today people are concerned with their ecological ‘footprint’ and recognizing the damage our gardening products (like weed killer and pesticides) have on the environment and human health. Cattle are often treated with hormones to produce more milk or larger muscles, and many of them are bombarded by pesticides and chemicals from the grass and feed they eat regularly. Organic gardening is part of the counter-movement, a small step in the right direction that teaches people to trust nature and the natural ways food, flowers, and herbs are produced. In this free heirloom seed growing video series, organic farmer Daniel Botkin gives you tips on finding and growing heirloom seeds and becoming a seed saver. You will learn what heirloom seeds are, where to buy them, and how to test them for viability. Daniel also teaches you about some of his favorite types of seeds and popular varieties of beans, squash, and tomatoes. You will become acquainted with the long-lasting tradition of seed saving and growing from heirloom seeds, which can offer surprise results you can share with neighborhood growers.

Listing 1-19 of 19 videos

Storing Saved Heirloom Seeds

Store saved heirloom seeds in a dry, cool, dark place to give them the best chance at viability. Learn about getting into heirloom seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Tips for Seed Saving: Seed Banks

Form a seed bank with local growers to preserve and share heirloom seeds in your local environment. Learn about growing heirloom seeds and seed banks from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Collecting Seeds from Beans

Beans are good beginner crops for heirloom seed savers. Learn about getting into bean heirloom seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

What are Heirloom Seeds?

Heirloom seeds are seeds saved and passed on that contain specially cared for genes and plant types. Learn about growing heirloom seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Collecting Seeds from Pink Banana Squash

Saving seeds from pink banana squash starts with finding the best, most mature plant to save good genes. Learn about growing squash heirloom seeds from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Squash Varieties of Heirloom Seeds

Many kinds of squash can derive form heirloom seeds kept and cross-pollinated. Learn about growing squash heirloom seeds from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

The Myth of "Pure Seed"

Pure seeds are not always useful for backyard gardeners who don't need authoritative families of vegetables. Learn about growing pure seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Growing Heirloom Seeds

Starting out with heirloom seeds is easy for gardeners who want to become part of a larger tradition or start their own. Learn about growing heirloom seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Native Adapting Seeds

Saving seeds from robust plants that grow well and replanting them preserves genes fit for your soil. Learn about getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Why Don't More Growers Save Seed?

Education can help farmers and gardeners get involved in seed saving and local heirloom seed cultures. Learn about growing heirloom seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Tips for Seed Saving: Collaborate

Working with other heirloom seeds growers is part of the heirloom culture and good for the gardens. Learn about growing heirloom seed collaborative efforts from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Why Save Seeds?

Seed saving makes the gardener part of the living legacy of traditional methods of farming and gardening. Learn about getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Where to Find Heirloom Seeds

Check out heirloom seeds at these places to begin working with traditional gardening and seed families. Learn about finding heirloom seeds and getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Getting Started with Saving Seeds

Saving seeds begins the heirloom seed tradition, working seeds from robust plants back into your soil. Learn about getting into seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Collecting Seeds from Tomatoes

Tomatoes are easy plants to grow from heirloom seeds and start many gardens. Learn about getting into tomato heirloom seed saving from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Heirloom Varieties of Squash & Zucchini

Some favorite heirloom seeds might be foreign varieties of squash like zucchini. Learn about growing squash heirloom seeds from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Tips for Seed Saving: Start Small

Start your heirloom garden small with a conversation piece or old favorite. Learn about growing heirloom seeds by starting small from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Seed Viability & Germination Testing

Try placing saved heirloom seeds in a damp napkin in a bag to check for viability. Learn about growing greens from old heirloom seeds from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Cross-Pollination in Squash Types

Squash cross-pollinate within families but not across the board, so your efforts to isolate seeds are not in vain. Learn about saving squash heirloom seeds from an organic farmer in this free gardening video.

Growing Heirloom Seeds & Seed Saving

Related Videos

Related Articles