Doomsday prepping used to be a fringe movement that many people regarded as a community of paranoid fanatics. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, people across the country are looking toward preppers for survival advice. One way they stay prepared for possible disaster is by stockpiling emergency seeds.

To some, the thought of stores running out of food during a crisis may have at one time seemed outrageous. The empty grocery store shelves last spring, however, made that scenario feel much more possible. In the event of a national or global crisis, having a collection of emergency seeds is an excellent way to ensure that you and your loved ones will be able to sustain themselves. 

Beyond an apocalypse-style crisis, however, storing seeds over winter is a great way to cut down the cost of your annual vegetable garden. By saving seeds, you can grow a garden without having to purchase new seeds or plants every season.

Read: The Shelf Life of 32 Foods in Your Pantry

What are the Best Emergency Seeds?

When it comes to storing seeds, not all of them are made equal. Plants with flowers that are self-pollinating, like tomatoes or peppers, tend to be easier for seed saving. They require little or no special treatment before saving.

Seeds from biennial crops, however, are harder to save because they require two growing seasons in order to set seed. 

Open-pollinated plants are also a better choice for seed saving rather than hybrids. This is because it is impossible to predict the quality of a hybrid plant and its fruit. When it comes to emergency seeds, you don’t want to leave anything up to chance [1].

The following are some of the most practical plants for harvesting and storing seeds:

1. Tomatoes

Non-hybrid tomato plants, like “Big Rainbow”, “San Marzano”, and “Brandywine” are excellent seed-savers. These varieties will give you a consistent fruit season after season [1]. Nutritionally, tomatoes are an excellent choice because they are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. They also provide potassium, folate, lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene [2]. 

2. Peppers

“Habanero”, “California Wonder” and “Corno di Toro” peppers are also non-hybrids that will produce a consistent crop. Peppers also provide a good amount of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin E [3].

3. Beans

Open-pollinated bean varieties include “Kentucky Wonder”, “Blue Lake” and “Tendercrop” [1]. They are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folic acid and fiber [4].

4. Peas

Non-hybrid varieties of peas include ‘Lincoln’, ‘Little Marvel’ and ‘Perfection’ peas [1]. They are an excellent source of vitamin K, as well as manganese, B vitamins, fiber, vitamin C, phosphorus, and folate [5].

The following plants are more difficult to harvest seeds from, but provide a variety of nutrients in the event of an emergency:

5. Kale

Kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese [6]. It is also a very robust green vegetable that grows well in a variety of conditions.

6. Spinach

Spinach is a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, and folate. It also contains vitamin K, fiber, phosphorus, and thiamine [7].

7. Carrots

Carrots are one of the best vegetable sources of vitamin A. They are also high in biotin and vitamin K, and contain a good amount of fiber [8]. They are more difficult in terms of seed storage because they require two growing seasons to drop seed, but they are worth the wait.

8. Beets

Like carrots, beets also won’t produce seeds until their second growing season. That being said, they provide a lot of nutrition. They contain betalains, which are phytonutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Beets are also a great source of folate, manganese, copper, and fiber [9].

9. Radishes

Radishes are a good source of antioxidants like catechin, pyrogallol, vanillic acid, and other phenolic compounds. They also contain chemical compounds like glucosinolate and isothiocyanate and the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 that can help regulate blood sugar levels and block the formation of diabetes [10].

Read: Drink More Cabbage Juice: It Can Help Heal Stomach Ulcers, Support Your Liver, May Reduce Inflammation and More

How to Harvest Emergency Seeds

For vegetables like carrots, kale, spinach, beets, and radishes, you’re likely better off purchasing seed packets from your local garden shoppe and storing them for safe-keeping. You can ask the experts there for advice on how to store them properly so they will remain viable for the long-term.

For tomatoes, peppers, beans, and peas, however, you can harvest those seeds yourself quite easily. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Allow the fruit to fully ripen. In the case of peppers, you want to wait until the pepper has started to wrinkle before picking it. For beans and peas, you should allow the pods to ripen on the plant until they are dry and starting to turn brown. You should be able to hear the seeds rattling around on the inside.
2. For tomatoes: put the seeds and gel in a glass jar with water. Swirl the mixture twice per day. Within five days it should ferment and the seeds will fall to the bottom. Pour off the liquid, rinse the seeds, and spread them on paper towels to dry.
3. For Peppers: Simply scrape the seeds out and lay them out to dry.
4. For Peas and Beans: remove the pods from the plant and spread them out inside to dry. You can leave them in the pods until you’re ready to plant them or remove the seeds from the pods after they’ve been drying for at least two weeks [1].

How to Store Emergency Seeds

Seedsavers.org offers three tips for storing your seeds to ensure they are viable come planting season:

Tip #1: Keep it Cool 

You should keep your seeds in a cool location that is out of direct sunlight. This area should also maintain a fairly consistent temperature. A cold closet or a basement can be a good spot. Alternatively, so long as your seeds are fully dry you can store them in the refrigerator.

Tip #2: Keep it Dry

The location in which you store your seeds should also not be humid. This is because humidity can cause your seeds to sprout before you’re ready to plant them. It is also important to ensure your seeds are sufficiently dry before you store them, for the same reason.

Tip #3: Protect Your Seeds

Rodents and pests may enjoy your seeds as a little snack, so choose a spot that is safe from critters. Glass jars, metal containers, or wire mesh can also protect your seeds from would-be predators.

Some seeds, like carrots, for example, don’t tend to last as long in storage. To ensure these seeds last until next growing season, keep them in the freezer so they don’t lose their ability to germinate and grow [11].

Emergency Seeds to Meet Your Needs

While it may sound extreme to some, having emergency seeds in case of a crisis is a good way to ensure that your family will have access to healthy food. At the very least, harvesting and saving your own seeds can reduce the costs associated with growing your own vegetable garden, so you can enjoy a delicious crop season after season.

Read: 12 Vegetables You Can Grow All Winter

The post 9 Seeds Everyone Should Grow and Store in Case of a Global Emergency appeared first on The Hearty Soul.