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A big step toward self-sufficiency is knowing how to collect and store seeds from your garden. On today’s podcast episode I discuss all the basics of seed saving and all the reasons you may want to start doing it. Homestead Updates: Slow, Non-Exciting Week on the Homestead! Just get up and do it again. Homesteading Relevant News: Forbes Article: Dear Homesteaders, Self-Reliance Is A Delusion Sustainable Living Podcast: Are Homesteaders Moochers? Pioneering Today Podcast: Dear Forbes, Homesteading, and Self-Reliance is a Delusion? Hangin’ Out on the Homestead Front Porch: This week's Q a A from the Front Porch: What is one skill you would like to learn that you believe would make you more self-sufficient? Main Topic Of Discussion: Seed Saving for Self Sufficiency Why Save Your Seeds? To save money To ensure you have the best garden you can have. For preparedness To become more self-sufficient through knowledge For future generations. To participate in seed exchanges. What To Know Before You Start Saving Seeds. Podcast episode with Mary from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds: What’s The Difference Between Heirloom, Hybrid, and GMO Seeds? Self, insect, and wind pollination 3 Easy Garden Favorites To Save Seeds From. Beans – When to harvest seeds, separating chaff, testing for dryness. Lettuce – How and when to collect the seed Tomatoes – Collecting seed, fermentation process, testing for dryness. Storing Seeds Enemies of storing seeds are moisture, heat, light. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. The freezer is great but seeds MUST be completely dried. Envelopes, bags, jars. Resources For Seed Saving Website: Seed Savers Exchange Book: Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd Edition by Suzanne Ashworth Book: The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs by Robert E. Gough Today’s Recommendations: Go hunting and fishing! For us, the squirrel hunting season just got started so it’s a great time to put a few in the freezer. If you want to know more about squirrel hunting I did a whole episode on that a couple of years ago called “What You Need To Know About Hunting Squirrel“. This is also a great time of the year to go fishing as the mornings are cooler and pleasant for us in the midwest anyway. So get out there and enjoy some nature! Book: The Only Squirrel Cookbook You’ll Ever Need