Sovereignty Module: Secure the Harvest
Complete Seed Saving and Plant Propagation: From Selection to Storage
Seeds are civilization's most critical asset — lose them and you lose food forever. This campaign covers seed biology, selection, harvesting, processing, storage, and vegetative propagation methods.
Chapter 1: Seed Biology
| Concept | Definition | Importance | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-pollinated (OP) | Breeds true from seed | Seeds produce same plant | Save these seeds freely |
| Hybrid (F1) | Cross of two distinct parents | Does NOT breed true | Don't save (offspring vary wildly) |
| Heirloom | OP variety >50 years old | Proven, adapted, saveable | Priority for seed saving |
| Self-pollinating | Fertilizes itself | Easy to keep pure | Tomatoes, beans, peas, lettuce |
| Cross-pollinating | Needs pollen from another plant | Requires isolation for purity | Corn, squash, brassicas, beets |
| Biennial | Seeds in second year | Must overwinter plant | Carrots, beets, cabbage, onions |
| Annual | Seeds in first year | Complete in one season | Tomatoes, beans, corn, lettuce |
| Germination rate | % of seeds that sprout | Determines planting density | Test before planting season |
Chapter 2: Seed Selection Principles
| Criterion | What to Look For | Why | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vigor | Strongest, healthiest plants | Passes strength to offspring | Mark best plants early in season |
| Trueness to type | Matches variety description | Maintains variety identity | Remove off-types before flowering |
| Disease resistance | Plants that stay healthy | Builds resistance over generations | Never save from sick plants |
| Productivity | Highest yield | Improves harvest over time | Track production per plant |
| Adaptation | Thrives in YOUR conditions | Local adaptation over generations | Save from plants that do best locally |
| Earliness/lateness | Appropriate timing | Matches your growing season | Note maturity dates |
Selection rules: 1) Never save seed from just one plant (minimum 6-12 plants for genetic diversity). 2) Mark best plants BEFORE harvest (don't save from leftovers). 3) Save from the population, not just the single best (maintains genetic diversity). 4) Remove off-types before they can pollinate (roguing). 5) Let seed mature fully on plant when possible (immature seed = poor germination). 6) Save more seed than you need (share, trade, bank against crop failure).
Chapter 3: Harvesting and Processing
| Crop Type | Harvest Indicator | Processing Method | Drying Time | Storage Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry-seeded (beans, grains) | Pods/heads dry and brown | Thresh, winnow | Already dry (verify) | 3-5 years |
| Wet-seeded (tomato, cucumber) | Fruit fully ripe/overripe | Ferment, wash, dry | 5-7 days | 4-6 years |
| Flower seeds (lettuce, herbs) | Seed heads dry/fluffy | Shake into bag, clean | 3-5 days | 2-4 years |
| Root crop seeds (biennial) | Seed stalks dry | Cut stalks, thresh | 5-7 days | 2-3 years |
| Fruit tree seeds | Fruit fully ripe | Clean, stratify | Variable | 1-2 years (plant soon) |
Tomato seed fermentation: 1) Scoop seeds + gel into jar. 2) Add small amount of water. 3) Cover loosely (not sealed). 4) Let ferment 2-4 days at room temperature (will smell bad — normal). 5) Mold may form on top (good — breaks down germination inhibitors). 6) Add water, stir — good seeds sink, pulp floats. 7) Pour off floaters and pulp. 8) Rinse clean seeds in strainer. 9) Dry on plate or screen (not paper towel — they stick). 10) Dry completely (7-10 days) before storage.
Chapter 4: Isolation Distances
| Crop | Pollination Type | Minimum Isolation | Alternative Method | Cross Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Self (mostly) | 10-25 feet | None needed (usually) | Very low |
| Peppers | Self (mostly) | 50-300 feet | Bag flowers | Low-moderate |
| Beans/peas | Self | 10-20 feet | None needed | Very low |
| Lettuce | Self | 10-20 feet | None needed | Very low |
| Corn | Wind (cross) | 1/4 to 1 mile | Time isolation (2 weeks apart) | Very high |
| Squash/pumpkin | Insect (cross) | 1/4 to 1 mile | Hand pollinate + bag | Very high |
| Brassicas (cabbage family) | Insect (cross) | 1/4 to 1 mile | Cage with introduced pollinators | Very high |
| Carrots | Insect (cross) | 1/4 mile | Alternate year (biennial) | High |
| Beets/chard | Wind (cross) | 1/4 to 1 mile | Cage or alternate year | High |
| Onions | Insect (cross) | 1 mile | Cage | High |
Hand pollination (squash): 1) Evening before: identify male flowers (thin stem) and female flowers (swollen base). 2) Tape both closed with masking tape (prevents insect access overnight). 3) Morning: pick male flower, peel back petals exposing pollen. 4) Open female flower tape, rub pollen onto stigma thoroughly. 5) Re-tape female flower closed. 6) Mark with ribbon (this fruit = pure seed). 7) One male can pollinate 2-3 females. 8) Result: guaranteed pure seed of that variety.
Chapter 5: Seed Storage
| Factor | Ideal Condition | Why | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture | <8% seed moisture | Prevents mold, premature germination | Dry thoroughly, add desiccant |
| Temperature | 32-41°F (0-5°C) | Slows metabolism, extends life | Refrigerator, root cellar, frozen |
| Light | Dark | Prevents triggering germination | Opaque containers |
| Oxygen | Low/sealed | Prevents oxidation | Sealed jars, vacuum pack |
| Pests | Excluded | Insects eat seeds | Sealed containers, diatomaceous earth |
Storage life (properly stored):
| Crop | Years Viable | Germination Test | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onion/leek | 1-2 | Test annually | Short-lived, save fresh each year |
| Corn | 2-3 | Test before planting | Loses viability quickly |
| Beans/peas | 3-5 | Test every 2 years | Long-lived if dry |
| Tomato/pepper | 4-6 | Test every 3 years | Very long-lived |
| Cucumber/melon | 5-6 | Test every 3 years | Improve with 1-2 years aging |
| Lettuce | 3-5 | Test every 2 years | Moderate life |
| Brassicas | 4-5 | Test every 2 years | Good storage life |
| Carrot | 2-3 | Test annually | Moderate, save frequently |
Germination test: 1) Count out 10 seeds (or 20 for better accuracy). 2) Place on damp paper towel. 3) Fold towel over seeds, place in plastic bag (slightly open). 4) Keep warm (70-80°F). 5) Check daily for 7-14 days (varies by crop). 6) Count sprouted seeds. 7) Calculate: sprouted ÷ total × 100 = germination %. 8) Above 80% = good. 50-80% = plant thicker. Below 50% = replace seed.
Chapter 6: Vegetative Propagation
| Method | Plants | Difficulty | Success Rate | Time to Production | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stem cuttings | Herbs, willows, grapes, figs | Low | 60-90% | Months | Spring-summer |
| Root division | Perennials, rhubarb, iris | Very low | 90%+ | Same season | Spring or fall |
| Layering | Berries, grapes, hazelnuts | Low | 80-95% | 6-12 months | Spring |
| Grafting | Fruit trees, roses | High | 60-80% | 1-2 years | Late winter/spring |
| Tuber/bulb division | Potatoes, garlic, onions | Very low | 95%+ | Same season | Planting time |
| Runners/stolons | Strawberries, mint | Very low | 95%+ | Same season | Summer |
| Root cuttings | Comfrey, horseradish | Low | 70-90% | Same season | Early spring |
Reference Card
- Save open-pollinated only (hybrid seeds don't breed true — know what you're growing). 2. Select from the best (mark your best plants EARLY — never save seed from runts or leftovers). 3. Minimum population: 6-12 plants (fewer = inbreeding depression over generations). 4. Isolation prevents crosses (corn and squash cross easily — separate by distance or time). 5. Dry is survival (seeds above 8% moisture grow mold and die — dry thoroughly before storage). 6. Cool extends life (every 10°F cooler roughly doubles storage life — refrigerate or freeze). 7. Test before trusting (germination test 10 seeds on wet paper towel — know your rates). 8. Redundancy saves everything (store seeds in multiple locations — fire, flood, or theft won't end your line).