My Tiny PlotHow to Save Borlotti Bean Seed
Some of my Borlotti beans had naturally started to dry on the wigwam so I decided to put some aside for seed next year (I’m definitely growing Borlotti Beans again!). Just a few tips for saving Borlotti Bean seed:
- Leave them on the plant as long as you can
- Ideally wait to pick the pod until it’s gone dry and crispy
- If you have to pick them, dry them at room temperature inside
- Pop open the pods and extract the beans
- Place in a breathable container, like a brown paper envelope
- Label and store in a frost-free, damp-free place
Roll on next year! What are you saving? And any tips for doing it?
Hello! Thank for a great blog! After drying the beans I freeze them for 3-4 days to kill any larvae that lurk inside the seeds.
I too saved my Borlottie Beans for seed for next year. Also saving some herb seeds: Sage, Dill, Chives, Garlic Chives, and Cilantro (corriander), and Spearmint.
As it’s my first year gardening I started small.
I’m saving cilantro, lemon basil, kombacha pumpkin (from farmers market) and also after this post a few borlotti beans from farmers market. I may save tomato seeds, but I don’t really have space to make starts yet.
i’m been drying chilies for a month now, four varietals. i’ll crack them open in feb/march to start new plants for next year. i’m also harvesting garlic chive seeds, basil seeds & moonflower seeds. : )
You can save your beans or peas in a jar; just makes sure they are fully dry and add some lime or sand to keep them dry. Beans and peas like lime added to the soil at planting, so the residue left on the seeds is fine (and not toxic)
Yes. I have saved runner bean seed this year and will be doing much more next year as the new home kitchen garden matures and our family allotment has been fully developed.
There is nothing better than reaping the rewards of the season in the garden. We have just bottled some green tomato pickle, frozen loads of beans and brassica greens. We still have lots and lots to collect from the garden…and it is a good time for the chickens as they can safely scratch around during autumn and winter.
I haven’t managed to save nearly as much as I intended, as it keeps raining :-( Have got quite a few ornamentals, including an absurd number of foxglove seed which will almost certainly not come true. Thankfully I still have lots of seed for all the French beans and courgettes I want to grow again, but I will file your tip away as I plan on trying Borlotti beans next year.
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