Autumn magic starts with saving your own seeds. Tuck away the best of summer—tomatoes, beans, sunflowers—and bring them back next year, stronger than ever. We’ve pulled together a simple guide + our favourite seed-saving tools to make it easy.

There’s something quietly satisfying about saving your own seeds. Not only does it give you a head start for next year’s growing, but it also connects you to the full rhythm of the garden—seed to sprout, flower to fruit, and back again.

Think of it as a gardener’s time capsule. The tomato you loved this summer, the sunflowers that brightened your plot, the beans that climbed faster than you could keep up with—they can all live on next season, tucked safely away until spring rolls around. Seed saving isn’t just thrifty; it’s a way of building your own gardening legacy.

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Why Save Seeds?

• Cost-friendly – Save pounds each season by reusing what your garden has already given you.

• Sustainability – Less packaging, less transport, more self-reliance.

• Personal connection – Each seed tells the story of your soil, your weather, your care.

• Variety preservation – Heirlooms and unusual varieties can be lost from shops, but you can keep them alive in your garden.

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A Quick Tip to Remember

Dry thoroughly, label clearly, and store in a cool, dark place. That’s the golden rule of seed saving. Follow this and you’re halfway there.

👉 Make it easy: try our seed envelopes for neat labelling, and storage tins to keep your seeds safe and organised.

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Mini Guide: Easy Seeds to Start With

🫘 Beans & Peas

• When to harvest: Allow pods to fully dry on the plant until they rattle when shaken.

• How to prepare: Shell the beans or peas, spread them out on a tray, and let them finish drying indoors.

• Storage tip: Glass jars or our classic seed tins keep them fresh until spring.

🍅 Tomatoes

• When to harvest: Pick fully ripe fruits.

• How to prepare: Scoop out the seeds into a jar, cover with water, and let them ferment for 2–3 days. Rinse, drain, and dry thoroughly on paper.

• Storage tip: Store in labelled paper envelopes—our eco-friendly seed packets are perfect for this.

🌻 Sunflowers

• When to harvest: Wait until the back of the flower head turns yellow-brown and the seeds loosen.

• How to prepare: Rub the seeds free, then spread them out to dry for a week.

• Storage tip: Pop into an envelope and tie with some natural jute twine for a rustic touch.

🌿 Herbs (like coriander, dill & basil)

• When to harvest: Wait until seed heads turn brown and dry.

• How to prepare: Place seed heads upside down in a paper bag, tie, and hang in a dry spot.

• Storage tip: Label clearly—it’s easy to confuse basil with oregano once dried!

🌸 Easy Flowers (like marigolds & calendula)

• When to harvest: Allow flower heads to dry on the plant, then collect the seeds once crisp and papery.

• How to prepare: Gently rub between your fingers to separate seeds from petals.

• Storage tip: Our compact storage boxes make it easy to keep flower varieties neatly separated.

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Labelling & Storing: Little Details That Matter

A jam jar full of “mystery seeds” might sound adventurous, but it usually ends in confusion. Always write down the variety, the year, and any little notes (“tall grower”, “good in shade”, “purple flowers”).

For storage, aim for three things: cool, dry, dark. An airtight tin in a shed, or a box tucked away in the back of a cupboard indoors, is perfect. Some gardeners even pop theirs in the fridge for long-term storage.

👉 Shop our seed-saving range to find envelopes, tins, twine, and all the little touches that make the process easier.

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Extend the Autumn Care

Seed saving often goes hand-in-hand with other end-of-season jobs:

• Protecting soil & young plants: Try our weed stop fabric or fleece covers to shield overwintering crops.

• Getting bulbs in: Our heavy duty bulb planters and bulb baskets make light work of autumn planting.

• Tidying up: A sturdy boot pull & wellie wiper keeps the mud outdoors where it belongs.

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Start Your Own Seed Bank

Saving seeds doesn’t have to be complicated or scientific—it’s about paying attention and working with what nature gives you. With each year, you’ll get a little better, and your “seed bank” will grow into something personal and useful.

For those who’d like an extra helping hand, our friends at Garden Organic have some brilliant mini guides on saving popular crops—perfect for deep-diving into specific plants.

Whether you’re swapping envelopes with fellow gardeners, building up your own reserves, or just keeping that one variety of tomato going because it’s unbeatable in a sandwich, seed saving makes your gardening more rooted, more rewarding, and more sustainable.

✨ Ready to get started? Shop our seed-saving essentials and Autumn ready items today—and don’t forget, this autumn you can enjoy our offer: Spend £50, get £10 off + free standard delivery (worth £2.95)*

 

*Offer ends 31st September 2025 23:59pm.

Tags

Autumn September

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