It’s always a bit sad to see our summer vegetable gardens peter out as the season comes to a close. Those once-verdant plants are now fading as the long, hot summer takes its toll.

Though harvests of fresh produce may be dwindling, gardens at this time of year can still provide us with something valuable: seeds.

Seed saving isn’t as common as it used to be, but it was a way of life for many of our ancestors who lived off the land and prized self-sufficiency. It was how they ensured they had seeds to plant — and food on the table — the following year.

In recent times, some folks have rekindled an interest in saving seeds. Not only does this practice allow you to make the most of your plantings and build a perpetual supply of seeds, but it also saves money, helps preserve genetic diversit

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