Learn to successfully collect, save, and store seeds.

In selecting the plants from which to save seed, assess the condition of the whole plant, looking for disease and insect resistance, drought tolerance, vigor, color, earliness of fruiting, lateness of bolting, hardiness, uniformity, and trueness. You can influence your future crop characteristics by selecting seeds on the basis of size, shape, color, productivity, flavor, shelf life, and more. Although it is not guaranteed that the same characteristics will be expressed in the next generation, over time you will be able to influence the traits of your seed stock.