Seed-Saving Resources
Explore this collection of resources for seed savers, community organizers, educators, and others working to strengthen community seed systems.
Please note: This website will be retired at the end of the year. We recommend downloading and saving any materials you would like to keep. Thank you to all the friends and partners who contributed resources to this collection.
Seed Saving
- Crop-by-Crop Seed-Saving Resources for Home Gardeners — Seed Savers Exchange
- Seed-Saving Instructions — Native Seeds/SEARCH
- Six Tips for Saving Seed — Seed Matters
- Seed-Saving Chart — Seed Matters
- Saving Seeds from Biennial Plants — Seed Savers Exchange
- Germination Testing at Home — Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Libraries and Community Seed Banks
- Micro Seed Banking Primer — Seeds of Diversity
- How to Organize a Community Seed Bank — Seed Matters
- What Is a Seed Library? — The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security
Seed Swaps
- How to Organize a Seed Swap — Seed Matters
- A Canadian History of Seedy Saturdays — Seeds of Diversity
Community Seed Gardens
- How to Organize Community Seed Gardens — Seed Matters
Publications
- How to Save Your Own Vegetable Seeds — Seeds of Diversity
- The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving — Seed Savers Exchange
- Bibliography of Seed Resources — Seeds of Diversity
For Teachers and Trainers
Open each section below to explore downloadable lessons, presentations, activities, and training materials.
Sow and Save Toolkit — SeedChange
Developed by SeedChange, formerly USC Canada, the Sow and Save toolkit includes interactive activities for elementary and middle school students exploring the science, art, and culture of seed saving.
Download the complete Sow and Save package
Information for Educators
- Why “Sow and Save”?
- Seed-Starting Basics
- Growing Variety
- Seed Saving for School Gardens
- When to Harvest Seed
- Glossary of Terms
Learning Activities and Games
- The Biodiversity Game: activity description and cards
- Planning Your Seed Garden: activity description and cards
- Bean Exercises
- Get to Know Your Food Seeds
- Daily Seeds
- Compare and Contrast Bean Diversity
- Pumpkin Patch Math
- Magic Multiplying Seeds
- Seeds and Pioneer Life
- Design a Seed Packet
- Seed Name Art
- Germination Race
Customizable Content
- Seed Saving and Banking Presentation
- Food Biodiversity: activity description and presentation
- Match the Seed Crop Quiz
Train the Trainer Toolkit — SeedChange
Designed collaboratively by farmers and educators, this toolkit includes scientific information, customizable resources, and practical strategies for educators leading introductory seed-saving training.
Download the complete Train the Trainer package
Plant Family Albums
- Amaranthaceae
- Amaryllidaceae
- Apiaceae
- Asteraceae
- Brassicaceae
- Cucurbitaceae
- Fabaceae
- Poaceae
- Solanaceae
Trainer Resources
Crop Observation Forms — Seeds of Diversity
These crop descriptor forms help aspiring seed savers observe their crops carefully and maintain useful growing and variety records.
