Saving seeds

[Roy Bham UK]

Do many of you save your seeds from your own crops? Reason I ask is that I brought home a bag full of runner beans (different varieties) and my wife said they had gone passed their best, so I shelled them and saved the seeds, but know not what to do with them. :(

A lottie neighbour reckons it's best to let them grow long and old, then collect the seeds, any advice greatfully received. ;D

Roy. ;)

[Roy Bham UK]

[KevB]

Hi Roy, I know nowt about runner beans Except to say, plant them in a under a wigwam and enjoy not only the flowers but also the fruits of little labour!!
good luck m8
Kev

[BAGGY]

I have never bought runner bean seed but started to use 'lotty' seeds that my neighbour had saved from the year before.  Also I found some dry beans on next doors compost and planted them.  I don't know what type of runner bean they are but most of the plots seem to have the 'lotty' bean and no one knows what type it is.  Tastes great though.
I would like to know if you could save other stuff though (other than the obvious squash)

[Georgie]

Hi Roy.  For years I've been a prolific seed saver from annuals and herbs and this year I'm going to try doing the same with seed from crops.  I'm working on the premise that the 'fruit' should be fully ripe, then I'll let the seeds dry out before keeping them in a cool dark place until needed.  So far I've collected tomato seed, next up will be french beans and cape gooseberries.

G xx

[MikeB]

Hi Roy

Just place the pods somewhere dry, when they have gone brown and brittle, break the pods open  and remove the 'beans'.  Store the beans in a brown paper envelope and place in a cool dry place for use next year.

Regards

MikeB

[Roy Bham UK]

;) Thanks Guys :) Looks like I wasted my time shelling fresh ones ::) ;D I'll go get some more and follow your advice on drying then out, thanks again, Roy :)

[MikeB]

Roy

The one's you have already shelled may be ok.  Just place them on a window sill and allow to dry, then pack them away.

Regards


MikeB

[Mubgrub]

So you don't need to leave some pods to dry out on the plant?

[MikeB]

You can do, but it always seems to rain and get them wet, or they fall off the plant into the mud etc.

[Mubgrub]

Cool, that means beans can be evicted earlier to make way for garlic ;D

[MikeB]

Go for it

[Roy Bham UK]

Roy
The one's you have already shelled may be OK.  Just place them on a window sill and allow to dry, then pack them away.
Regards
MikeB

Oops! too late ;D I dumped em in the kitchen compost bin :P No worries I still have zillions left on the plants, in fact does anyone have a way of still eating runners or storing without having the tough stringy bits on the plate?

[flowerlady]

Keeping seeds in the pods also works for peas too don't forget.   ;)

...  also sweet peas.    :)