Six tips for saving seeds
1. Know your seed. Don’t save seeds from a hybrid variety. They will not grow “true to type.” Look for open-pollinated or heirloom varieties. Look up information about your seed and proper growing, spacing, isolation and seed saving information.
2. Save information, not just seed. Keep good records from the start. The information that is passed on is as important as the seed. Make note of names, dates of planting, plant maturity, and seed harvest. Also include isolation distance and any other observations.
3. Watch for cross-pollination. Different varieties of crops of the same species can cross-pollinate, producing offspring with different characteristics from the original. Crops can be cross-pollinated by wind or insects.
4. Consider plant populations—numbers count. To maintain the genetic integrity of a variety, it is important to save seed from more than one plant. The optimum number varies on the plant
5. Choose ideal plants for ideal seed. Healthy vigorous plants are more likely to produce healthy vigorous seed. Save seeds from disease-free plants and collect seeds from plants that show ideal characteristics of the variety.
6. Make it last. Proper storage practices will increase the viability of your seed. Be sure that your seeds are free of pests, fully mature and dry. Source: Community Seed Network