Minimum Number of Plants for Vegetable Seed Production

Melons and Squash

• Melons and squash are the plants that have a tendency to take over your garden. Planting extra of them so you can save some seeds for next year may not seem like something you want to do. However, because of the number of seeds in each piece of produce, you do not need to plant that many extra. Two extra plants can give you a large number of seeds. Remember when harvesting seeds from squash and melons to allow the fruit to ripen on the vine until just before it is rotten. Next, pick the fruit, cut it open and scoop out the seeds. Wash the seeds, and then spread them out on paper towels to dry thoroughly and prevent mold from growing.

Heirloom Seeds

• When saving heirloom seeds, or varieties that are difficult to get from a grower, you need to plant many more plants. With some heirloom varieties, such as an heirloom corn, you need to plant as many as 100 extra plants to allow for plenty of seed for next year's planting. The reason for this is that not all of the seeds will actually germinate. Modern seeds have a high rate of germination, while the heirloom seed germination rate is much lower. Choose self-pollinating vegetables over cross-pollinating, as the plants you grow from cross-pollinated seeds may not be exactly the same as those you grew the previous year.

Beans and Peas

• Bean and pea seeds are easily recognizable, especially since people eat the seeds. To save seeds for next year, plan to leave about a dozen of your plants with their pods alone. Once the pods are completely dry, pick them and remove the seeds. When saving seeds from your bean and pea plants, be sure to choose plants that look healthy. If a plant looks overly small and is not producing large, healthy-looking pods, just pick that produce for eating right away.

Leafy Greens

• Leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach are more difficult to save seeds from, since the seeds are not necessarily visible. For your first time saving seeds from leafy greens, save 10 to 12 plants. The key to saving seeds from greens is knowing when they are going to seed. This means that you will have to leave them in the soil much longer than normal. Wait for the plants to grow about 2 feet tall and produce yellow flowers. Once the seed pods turn brown, that is the time to pick them.