Spring is almost upon us and now is the perfect time to start thinking about things to do in the garden. While we always encourage you to enjoy our quality-sourced fruit and veg, we think growing your own is a rewarding way to connect with your food and the local environment. A simple way to start is by saving seeds from produce you already have and our latest article offers some easy tips on how to save seeds from some of the most popular fruits and vegetables, ready to plant in your garden or windowsill!
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow from saved seeds:
- Scoop out the seeds and place them in a glass of water.
- Leave for 2-3 days until a mouldy film develops (this removes the jelly-like coating that prevents germination).
- Rinse thoroughly, spread the seeds on a paper towel, and let them dry completely.
- Store in an envelope in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to sow (between late Feb-April).
Peppers (Sweet & Chilli)
- Remove seeds from ripe peppers and spread them out on a plate or paper towel.
- Let them air dry for about a week in a warm, dry spot.
- Store in a labelled envelope and plant in early spring for a summer harvest.
(Note: Whilst the spice of chilli peppers come from the pith, it’s always good to exercise caution when handling the seeds so they don’t come into contact with your eyes!)
Pumpkins & Squash
- Scoop out the seeds and rinse off any pulp that can later be composted.
- Lay the seeds out on a towel and dry for about a week.
- Store in an envelope or jar and plant in late spring for autumn harvesting.
Apples & Pears
- Remove seeds from the core and let them dry for a day.
- Place seeds in a damp paper towel inside a sealed bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks (this mimics winter conditions, which is essential for germination).
- After chilling, plant them in pots indoors and transfer them outside in spring.
(Note: Trees grown from saved apple and pear seeds may differ from the original fruit, but it’s fun anticipating what the end result is.)
Strawberries
- Gently scrape seeds from the outside of a strawberry.
- Spread them on paper to dry completely.
- Store in a cool, dry place and plant in early spring.
Citrus Fruits (Lemons, Oranges, Limes)
- Remove seeds and rinse off any fruit residue.
- Plant directly into a pot with moist compost.
- Keep in a warm, sunny place as citrus seeds can take a few weeks to sprout.
A Few Tips for Successful Seed Saving
- Only use seeds from fully ripe fruit and veg, as immature seeds may not germinate.
- Avoid hybrid varieties, as they may not grow true to type.
- Label your seeds with the name and date to keep track of what you’ve saved.
- Store in a cool, dry place to maintain viability.
Get Guaranteed Quality With Plumbs’ Dairy
Growing your own produce is a great way to learn about food, but it takes time and patience. If you want fresh, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables without the wait, we’ve got a great selection all of which come with free delivery and no minimum spend. Happy growing!