I'm trying to decide between saving my own seeds from last year's shishito pepper plants or just buying new seeds online. I've heard that seeds purchased online usually have a higher germination success rate. Since my old plants have been sitting in the garden over the winter, I'm wondering if those seeds are still good to use or if it's better to purchase fresh ones. What do you all think?
3 Answers
Those old seeds should be fine! I suggest sowing them a bit heavily just to be safe, and you might be surprised at how well they germinate!
Honestly, I save my seeds every year. They tend to adapt better to my garden's conditions over time. Plus, even if your saved seeds have a lower germination rate (like 75%), it doesn't matter because you can just plant more. If you're worried about viability, try the paper towel method: put your seeds on a damp paper towel in a ziplock bag in a warm spot. They'll probably sprout faster than your new seeds would arrive!
I don't save much seed myself since I mostly grow hybrids. But for open-pollinated varieties like certain tomatoes or beans, it's totally worth the effort if they're exceptional. Just keep in mind that some plants need careful planning for cross-pollination, which might complicate your saving efforts.
Exactly! It's a good way to test them out and see what you’re working with before planting.