Learn how to Seed Save from Cucumbers

– Fermentation Style Seed Saving

Full Step by Step Directions Below!

Something about watching the garden grow in such amazement will never grow old to me. With seed saving the cycle continues and life goes on. You start with a single seed, in some cases a spec and it grows to be a gigantic nutrient filled food that you get to harvest and enjoy. And guess what? It goes to seed, you save that seed and the cycle continues. I’m amazed at the efficiency of God’s work.

I’m really passionate about people having the chose in Freedom in Food. It’s so important to understand what you’re eating and feeding your bodies. Our Food is our Fuel- Let the best Fuel You!

Here you’ll find a list of recommended resources. These links are affiliate links- the price is the same for you if you choose to purchase I may make a very small amount if you purchase through my links. I believe Freedom in Food is extremely important and everyone should have the knowledge to make those choices. Thank you!

This post is brought to you by MY Seed Saving Course– Grab the FULL Course for —> Half Off <– Click the Image

Quick Steps to Seed saving:

Start with heirloom seeds
Allow to ripen or dry on the vine
Follow a drying method
Store for next year

Make sure to label with type and year!

Top reasons to save your own seed!

Adapt Seeds to Your Garden
When you save your own seeds those seeds get smarter! They’ll learn to adapt to your climate and soil conditions. So Smart!

Help Pollinators
A lot of varieties will go to flower which then produces the seed, while it’s flowering the pollinators will love them! Having pollinators around is a great thing with the garden.

Control Your Food Supply
When you save seed and start your own plants you know exactly what’s going into them. It’s great for organic farmers and gardeners. It just doesn’t get any better!

Resources:

Seed Saving Course: https://shop.foodprood.com/b/D3ehp
Seed Saving Book: https://amzn.to/45NvUWj
Fine Mesh Sieves: https://amzn.to/3sQvKig
5 Qt Stainless Steel Colander: https://amzn.to/3sPobIA
2 Oz Small Glass Jars: https://amzn.to/482TaB0
8 oz Medium Glass Jars: https://amzn.to/44Osf96
Mason Jar Lids: https://amzn.to/3sVew33

Best types of crops to start with:

Beans, Peas, Herbs, Lettuce, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Hard seeds to save:

Anything biennial – carrots, onions, cabbages Or easily cross pollinated – Cucumbers, Squash, Corn

Three ways to save these seeds:

Dry – Wet – Fermentation

Dry Seeds: lettuce, beets, cilantro, beans

Wet Seeds: peppers, eggplant, squash seeds

Fermentation Seeds: Tomato, cucumbers, zucchini

When following the 3 different process types I suggest using ceramic plates and not drying on paper towel as the little fibers will stick to the seeds, it’s not fun trust me.

How to store your seeds:

Glass jars with tight lights – reusing old canning lids. Store them in dry, cool, pest free places. They should be labeled with the variety and year. Make sure the seeds have completely dried out before storing in the jars with lids on! You can test a lot of seeds by “denting” them with your fingernail. They should not dent at all and this will show you they are dried enough. Always error on the side of caution.

PRO TIP: Do not use all your seeds from each year, keep several out from each year in case of cross pollination or other issues that may arise so you have seeds to fall back on.

This post is brought to you by MY Seed Saving Course– Grab the FULL Course for —> Half Off <– Click the image below!

Fermentation Seed Processing

Once you chosen your fine specimen you will then scrape out the middle of the tomato with the gel sack and the seeds. Do NOT rinse. Place the gel and seeds into a class jar, and add a little water. Place a cloth or breathable fabric on top. Allow this to get a slight mold later on top which takes several days. Scrape off mold and discard. Rinse seeds and begin the drying process.

Fermentation Seeds: Tomato, Cucumbers, Zucchini

1. Pick out that awesome Tomato, Cucumber or Zucchini
2. Scrape the inside out with the gel and seeds and gooey stuff
3. Place into small glass jar or drink glassware
4. Add water only if there was not enough gel/goo in the veggie
5. Place a piece of cheesecloth, fabric, or coffee filter on top and set aside
6. After several days (depending on weather) you’ll eventually see a mold layer
form on top which is what you want!
7. Scrape the mold off and throw away
8. Rinse the seeds in a fine mesh sieve
9. Let dry and place on a ceramic plate and let dry out completely
10. Store in a glass container with a lid in a dark place- Make sure to label!!

Make sure to save from several different specimens!