Saving Carrot Seeds
Saving carrot seeds is a rewarding way to grow your own vegetables year after year. Since carrots are biennial, the process takes two growing seasons, with the plant producing seeds in its second year. By choosing open-pollinated varieties, overwintering selected carrots, and harvesting mature, dry seed heads, you can collect and store viable seeds for future planting.
Materials
- paper bag, box, or bucket for shaking the seeds into
- seed saving envelope or jar for storing seeds
Instructions
- Grow carrots in the ground the first season like you usually would.
- Leave one or two carrots (depending on how many seeds you want to collect) in the ground to overwinter.
- In colder zones with harsh winters, cover your carrots with mulch or a cold frame to protect them. If there is a lot of snow in your area, this could act as insulation.
- During the second growing season, the carrots will bolt and start to develop flower clusters.
- Let the flowers grow all season. After pollination, the flowers will form seed heads.
- Allow the seeds to mature and dry on the plant.
- The seeds will be ready when the seed heads turn brown and the seeds are dry to the touch.
- Harvest your seeds by cutting off the whole flower head and putting it into a paper bag. Shake or rub to get the seeds to fall off.
- Separate the seeds and the debris so the seeds are clean and ready for storage.
- Allow the seeds to dry for 1-2 weeks on a tray or paper towel in a dry, well-ventilated area.
- Store seeds in an airtight container with a label for the variety of carrot and date.
- The seeds will be good for 3-4 years as long as they are stored properly in a cool, dry place. Germination will generally go down the longer they are stored.