The financial, environmental and cultural benefits of saving your own flower seeds are subjective. The “why” that motivates you will be different than mine. I share my own story here. Before the global monopolization of seed distribution by a handful of corporations, every farmer saved their own seeds. Today, seed-saving is not as common. Farmers are encouraged to purchase seeds instead of passing down seed-saving knowledge. But not all is lost. You can re-learn the craft if it wasn’t shared with you.
Why Aren’t Flower Farmers Saving Seeds?
- They’re confused about cross-pollination and isolation distances to get true-to-type seeds.
- They’re overwhelmed at the idea of integrating seed work on the farm.
- They’re concerned that the saved seeds will be of lower quality than the purchased seeds.
Here’s the truth. You don’t need a degree in plant genetics to save seeds. Yes, learning new skills is intimidating at first, but the benefits outweigh the risks.
Why Should You Save Flower Seeds?
Saving Seeds for Seed Security
Seed security refers to having reliable and timely access to quality seeds for planting. Saving and sharing seeds keeps them in the hands of farmers, ensuring their continued use. No risk of discontinued varieties from your supplier. No anxiety over backordered varieties and delayed, expensive shipping. With saved seeds, you know you’ll have enough seeds for the upcoming season. If you require certified organic seeds, you can grow out non-organic seeds under your organic production practices and have them approved by your certifier as organic seeds.
Farm-Saved Seeds Germinate Better than Purchased Seeds
When properly harvested, cleaned and stored, farm-saved seeds germinate more easily than purchased seeds. Why? Your seeds are fresher, with more energy to grow, and you’ve cleaned them until they tested at a germination rate you’re happy with.
Seed Crops are an Easy Addition to Your Flower Farm
You know how to get the plants to the bloom stage. Seed work is the natural next step. Start with flowers you already see going to seed near the end of the season. Calendula, Marigolds, Poppies and Nigella. Instead of deadheading for more blooms, let those faded blooms develop seeds. There’s no need to redo your entire crop plan for seed saving. Start small. Each year, transition one to three beds into strictly seed production crops, as you learn.
Growing True-To-Type Flower Seed is Simple
For seed saving, most flowers do require isolation to come back true to type. However, here are some exception scenarios. Save the seeds from sweet peas, which don’t require isolation to come back true to type next year. Save seeds from crops that you only grow one variety of, again, not requiring isolation. For you, maybe that is a crop of Icelandic Poppies, Cress, Bupleurum, Hyacinthe bean or Cerinthe.
Local Seeds are Regionally Adapted
You don’t want seed varieties that are developed in a single laboratory for global distribution (which is often the case). You want seeds that were harvested by a neighbour, selected for their ability to survive under your regional pest, disease, and climate stressors. Farm-saved seeds carry the resilient genetics you need to get through your local growing challenges. Plus, you can select for the traits you want to return next year, like long stems, specific bloom colours and disease resistance.
Seed Crops Add Beauty and Biodiversity
Growing a diverse range of flower seed crops supports pollinators and beneficial insects. This increases the overall health of your farm. The pollen and nectar in the blooming flowers feed the pollinators. As seed pods form, insects find refuge in the plant material. Umbellifer crops like Dill, Orlaya and Daucus are especially good at attracting beneficial wasps to manage pest pressure in your cut flower crops. Plus, don’t you dream of seeing your cut flowers in full bloom, rather than harvesting at the first crack of colour?
Flower Seed Crops are Highly Profitable Per Bed Foot
Seed Crops can be lucrative. Seed farming appeals to small-scale farmers who lack the desire or equipment to cultivate multiple acres of land. Of course, not all flower seed crops are profitable. I’ve included more information in the next article: How Profitable Are Flower Seed Crops?
Seed Saving is Your Legacy
Saving and sharing seeds is a way to preserve your culture and heritage. My children know the name of their great-great-grandmother because she left my grandmother, who left my mother, who left me, sweet pea seeds, harvested from her garden in Belgium in the 1800s. Your farm-saved seeds are your legacy. They support your business growth now, and they provide opportunities to the future generations of farmers. Seeds are timeless. They connect us to the past, the present and the future.
You Can Do This
As a farmer, you’re qualified to save seeds. If you don’t feel that right now, stay with me. Check out the rest of my blog articles on flower seed farming. If you’re a book worm, check out my upcoming book True-to-Type: Saving and Selling Cut Flower Seeds for Profit and Joy.
For open-pollinated seeds to grow out and save seeds from on your farm, shop sweet pea seeds and cut flower seeds here. Seed saving and isolation tips are provided at the bottom of each product page.
See you in the Field.
Erika.
