Seed Saving, why bother… Great question!

When you’re knee-deep in the garden with weeds to pull, veggies to harvest, and compost to turn, the idea of saving seeds can feel like just another chore on the endless to-do list. After all, packets of seeds are cheap and easy to buy, right? But here’s the thing, seed saving is about much more than saving money. It’s about creating a sustainable cycle in your garden, one that connects you to the plants you grow and to generations of gardeners before you.

One of the biggest benefits of saving your own seeds is resilience. Each season, plants that thrive in your unique soil, climate, and conditions are the ones worth saving. Over time, those seeds adapt to your garden, meaning they’ll grow stronger, healthier, and more productive than store-bought packets bred for general conditions. You get to preserve the plants you love most, whether it’s the juiciest tomato you’ve ever eaten or a gorgeous bloom that makes you smile. You’re building your own personal seed bank, ensuring that your favourite plants keep thriving in your backyard, season after season.

Each year I try to save as many seeds as possible. This also means I have have a steady stream of flowers in the garden to feed the bees and pollinators as plants are allowed to go to flower and then to seed. This also allows for seed to fall and for self seeding to occur. Another way to spread flowers and veggies far and wide in your garden. I have self seeded tomatoes that come up every year, and I never have to plant celery because without a doubt it will pop us somewhere all on its own.

My favourite seeds to save are tomatoes, cucumbers , rocket, lettuce, pumpkin and zucchini. In terms of flowers, I love saving seeds for sweet peas every year, calendula and nasturtium are really easy, as well as marigolds and sunflowers.

For me, it’s also deeply personal. I was once gifted seeds from my mother’s friend, saved from her father’s beloved beefsteak tomatoes. I labeled the packet “Marg’s Dad’s Toms.” I grew those tomatoes every year for more than 5 years. At the end of every season I saved the seeds to replant the following year. Every time I plant them, I’m reminded of where they came from. Last year, I was able to return the gift, sharing seedlings grown from those seeds back with my Marg and her brother, their father has since passed. They loved the gift, and it reminded me that seed saving isn’t just about plants, it’s about memory, connection, and passing on little pieces of love and history.

If your’e looking for a lovely way to store your seeds, sign up to our Tricky Spot Garden Club newsletter below and and we will send you a cute little printable PDF of our seed saving packets. It’s the perfect way to save, store and gift your precious seeds.