When planning for self-sufficiency and sustainability, one of the most important things you can do is plant a survival garden. A well-planned survival garden not only provides fresh food during growing seasons, but it also allows you to collect and preserve seeds for future plantings. By growing your own food, you reduce dependence on external food sources and ensure access to fresh, nutritious produce during tough times.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the best seeds to plant in your survival garden and share tips on how to harvest and preserve seeds so you can continue to grow year after year. These plants are easy to grow, offer high nutritional value, and are great for long-term survival gardening.

Why Start a Survival Garden?

A survival garden is designed to provide a continuous food supply, especially in times of crisis or scarcity. The goal is to grow nutrient-dense crops that can feed your family and provide you with seeds for future plantings. When choosing seeds for your garden, it’s essential to select heirloom or open-pollinated varieties, as they can be harvested for seeds that will grow true to type (unlike hybrid seeds).

By growing a survival garden, you can:

• Ensure food security for your family
• Reduce dependence on external food sources
• Gain control over your food supply, free from pesticides and GMOs
• Cultivate seeds for replanting, saving money and maintaining self-sufficiency

Best Seeds for Your Survival Garden

When choosing seeds for your survival garden, look for plants that are easy to grow, offer good nutrition, and can be preserved for long-term storage. Below are some of the best crops to plant, along with tips on harvesting and preserving their seeds.

1. Tomatoes (Heirloom Varieties)

Why They’re Great:
Tomatoes are a staple in many diets and are incredibly versatile. They’re rich in vitamins A and C, and they can be used fresh or preserved through canning, drying, or freezing. Plus, heirloom tomatoes are excellent for seed saving.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow a few tomatoes to fully ripen on the vine until they’re soft.
• Scoop out the seeds along with the surrounding gel.
• Ferment the seeds by placing them in a jar with a bit of water for 2–3 days. Stir daily.
• Once the seeds settle to the bottom, rinse them thoroughly and spread them on a towel to dry.

Preservation Tips:
Store dried seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Tomato seeds can remain viable for up to 4–6 years if stored properly.

2. Beans (Bush and Pole Beans)

Why They’re Great:
Beans are high in protein and fiber, making them a fantastic crop for a survival garden. They’re easy to grow, store well, and can be used fresh or dried for long-term storage.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow the bean pods to dry on the vine until they become brittle.
• Once fully dried, crack open the pods to collect the seeds.
• Spread the seeds out on a tray to dry for a few more days to ensure all moisture is gone.

Preservation Tips:
Store dried bean seeds in a cool, dry place. Beans can last 3–4 years, but if stored in an airtight container in the freezer, they can remain viable even longer.

3. Peppers (Bell Peppers and Hot Peppers)

Why They’re Great:
Peppers are packed with vitamins, particularly vitamin C. They’re easy to grow and come in various varieties, from sweet bell peppers to spicy chili peppers.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Choose fully ripened peppers that have turned red, yellow, or orange, depending on the variety.
• Cut the pepper open and scrape out the seeds.
• Spread the seeds on a towel and allow them to dry for about a week.

Preservation Tips:
Store dried seeds in an airtight container. Pepper seeds can remain viable for up to 3–5 years when kept in a cool, dry environment.

4. Squash and Pumpkins

Why They’re Great:
Squash and pumpkins are nutrient-dense, long-lasting crops that can be stored for months in a cool, dry area. They’re also high in vitamins A and C, making them a great addition to any survival garden.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow the fruit to fully mature on the vine until the skin hardens.
• Scoop out the seeds and separate them from the pulp.
• Rinse the seeds in water, then spread them out to dry for a week or more.

Preservation Tips:
Once dried, store the seeds in a cool, dry place. Squash and pumpkin seeds can remain viable for 4–6 years.

5. Kale

Why It’s Great:
Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens, loaded with vitamins A, C, and K. It’s cold-hardy and can grow throughout much of the year, making it a valuable crop for any survival garden.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow the kale plant to bolt (flower) and form seed pods.
• Wait until the seed pods turn brown and dry on the plant.
• Harvest the pods and break them open to collect the seeds.

Preservation Tips:
Kale seeds should be dried thoroughly and stored in a cool, dark place. They can last up to 4 years when stored properly.

6. Carrots

Why They’re Great:
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and other essential vitamins. They store well through the winter and can be eaten fresh, pickled, or cooked.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Carrots are biennial, meaning they produce seeds in their second year. Allow the carrot plants to flower and form seed heads.
• Once the seed heads turn brown and dry, cut them off and shake the seeds out.

Preservation Tips:
Dry the seeds for a few days before storing them in an airtight container. Carrot seeds can remain viable for 3–4 years.

7. Lettuce

Why It’s Great:
Lettuce is quick to grow and offers a steady supply of fresh greens. It’s easy to grow, harvest, and perfect for seed saving.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow the lettuce plant to bolt (go to seed).
• Once the flowers fade and the seed heads dry, gently remove the seeds by hand or cut the stalk and shake the seeds into a bag.

Preservation Tips:
Lettuce seeds should be dried completely before storing in a cool, dry place. They can last up to 5 years if stored properly.

8. Dandelion

Why It’s Great:
Dandelion is a foraged favorite, full of nutrients, and it’s incredibly easy to grow. Both the leaves and roots can be used in teas and remedies, and the seeds are easy to collect.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Allow the dandelion flowers to fully mature and go to seed (the white, fluffy seed heads we’re all familiar with).
• Gently pluck the seed heads and collect the seeds.

Preservation Tips:
Dandelion seeds can be stored in an airtight container and remain viable for several years.

9. Dill

Why It’s Great:
Dill is a versatile herb used for seasoning and pickling. It’s fast-growing, easy to cultivate, and offers abundant seeds for future plantings.

How to Harvest Seeds:

• Wait for the dill flowers to dry and turn brown.
• Snip the seed heads and place them upside down in a paper bag to catch the seeds as they fall.

Preservation Tips:
Dill seeds should be completely dried before being stored in a cool, dry place. Dill seeds can last for up to 5 years when stored properly.

Preserving and Storing Seeds

Once you’ve harvested your seeds, the next step is preserving and storing them for future planting. Here’s how to make sure your seeds remain viable for years to come:

1. Dry the Seeds Thoroughly

After harvesting, make sure your seeds are completely dry. Spread them out on a towel or paper plate and let them air-dry for 1–2 weeks.

2. Label and Store in a Cool, Dark Place

Store your seeds in airtight containers like glass jars or paper envelopes. Label each container with the seed type and the date you harvested them. Keep the containers in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry, to preserve the seeds’ viability.

3. Avoid Moisture and Heat

Moisture and heat can cause your seeds to spoil or mold. Make sure they’re stored in a dry environment, and consider adding a silica packet or rice to the container to absorb any excess moisture.

A survival garden is an essential step toward food independence, and saving seeds from your harvest ensures that you can continue growing food year after year. By choosing nutrient-dense, easy-to-grow crops like tomatoes, beans, and kale, you can ensure your survival garden provides a reliable source of food—and by learning how to harvest and preserve seeds, you’ll maintain self-sufficiency for generations to come.

What are your favorite crops to grow in your survival garden? Let us know in the comments!