Resources for Advanced Seed Savers

​Participatory Plant Breeding Toolkit

Organic Seed Processing and Storage: This manual covers the principles and practices of seed processing. Covers seed harvesting, extraction, processing, drying, storage, longevity, dormancy, seed laws, seed treatments, germination testing, germination enhancement techniques, and also useful tables and appendices. The emphasis is on organic practices, especially in hot, humid regions, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Organic Seed Processing and Storage [28 pages] ​​

Preventing Undesirable Cross Pollination:

• Isolation Distances: This manual covers the principles and practices of determining and maintaining proper isolation distances. Understanding how to establish proper isolation distances is critical for maintaining the purity of seed crops. Of special importance to small scale organic seed growers, especially those in biodiverse regions, this manual demystifies one of the least understood areas of seed crop production. Isolation Distances [21 pages] ​
• A Seed Saving Guide for Gardner’s and Farmers Page 30. Lists proper isolation distances for each crop
• Principles and Practices of Isolation Distances For Seed Crops
• Keeping Open Pollinated Corn Using Hand Pollination (Video) Have no fear of crossing even if there are other varieties nearby (less than 3 miles)! By following these recommendations you can keep out unwanted genetics, do specific breeding crosses or simply maintain a variety even if it's near others.
• Keeping Squash Using Hand Pollination (So You Can Grow A few Verieties In A Home Garden Without Crossing) (Video) Learn how to place two crops of the same species near each other and also want to save seed that will produce fruit like the plant it came from.

​Crop-specific seed saving recommendations:

• Principles and Practices of Organic Bean Seed Production
• Organic Beet Seed Production
• Organic Carrot Seed Production
• Organic Lettuce Seed Production
• Organic Radish Seed Production
• Principles and Practices of Organic Spinach Seed Production​

Saving our Seeds:
Organic Bean Seed Production This manual focuses on small-scale production of high-quality organic bean seed in hot, humid areas such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Three types of beans are covered: common beans, lima or butter beans, and runner beans. Topics include plant characteristics, climate and regional growing requirements, pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, selection and roguing, cultural requirements, harvesting, threshing and winnowing, seed storage and shipping, and organic control of major insect pests and diseases. Organic Bean Seed Production [14 pages] 

Organic Brassica Seed Production Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic brassica seed. This manual is devoted to the major cole crops (broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower) and the minor cole crops (Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards). Topics include botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, techniques for avoiding inbreeding depression, seed production methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. Organic Brassica Seed Production[24 pages] 

Organic Cucurbit Seed Production Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic cucurbit seed. This manual is devoted to the major domesticated culinary species of squash (5 species), cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon. Topics include species identification, botanical characteristics and classification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, pollination, hand pollination, breeding, isolation distances, interspecies crossing, roguing, harvest timing, seed production and processing, seed extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. Organic Cucurbit Seed Production [36 pages] 

Organic Pepper Seed Production Small to medium-scale production of high-quality organic pepper seed. Five species of peppers are covered. Topics include species characteristics and identification, climate and soil requirements, plant characteristics, isolation distances, harvest timing, seed production and extraction methods, and insect and disease identification and management. Includes illustrations and bibliography. Organic Pepper Seed Production [18 pages] 

Organic Tomato Seed Production This manual focuses on small-scale production of high quality organic tomato seed in hot, humid areas, such as the Mid-Atlantic and South. Topics include pollination and fertilization, isolation distances, minimum population size, cultural methods, selection, harvest timing, methods of seed extraction and fermentation, washing and drying the seed, organic control of major insect pests and diseases, control of seed-borne diseases, seed disinfection and storage. Organic Tomato Seed Production [16 pages]