Many gardeners like to save seeds from their favorite plants. It is a great way to make sure the variety is right to fit the micro-environment. The method of growing and saving seeds is different for different plants. Some plants will cross breed and saving the seeds can be adventurous. Other seeds have biennial cycles and the plant has to be overwintered. Carrots for example can be pulled and the top inch or so cut off. It is replanted the next spring and will produce seed.
When seeds are purchased the supplier is supposed to test them and publish the percentage of viability. Saved seeds may or may not be viable. It is easy enough to test them. Put about 10 or 20 of the seeds between two cloths or paper towel. Dampen the paper towel and put them in a warm place for a few days. See how many sprout.
This will help to determine the viability of the seeds. The percentage will not be exact with such a small sample. To be accurate the sample would need to be several hundred. The tester will at least know if the seeds are viable at all and an approximate percentage can be obtained.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
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