This document discusses plant families and how to save seeds from open pollinated varieties. It lists the major vegetable families and explains that plants are further divided into genera and species, with only those of the same species able to cross-pollinate. For example, cucumbers and squash belong to the same family but different genera so they will not cross, but two varieties of squash could if they are the same species. Detailed notes on characteristics are recommended when saving seed.

1. Seed Saving Information
Only save seeds from open pollinated varieties.
Major Vegetable Families:
Amaryllidaceae: leeks, onions, garlic, chives
Brassicaceae: horseradish, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, turnip,
radish
Chenopodiaceae: beet, swiss chard, spinach
Compositae: endive, sunflower, lettuce
Cucurbitaceae: watermelon, muskmelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, squash
Leguminosae: peanut, soybean, beans, peas
Solanaceae: sweet pepper, chili pepper, tomato, eggplant, potato
Umbelliferae: dill, celery, carrot, parsnip
Gramineae: Corn
Plant families are divided into genera (genus) which are more closely related plants.
Plants within various genus are further divided in species. Plants within the same species can
cross. So it is important to know the species of your plant.
For example Cucumbers and Squash belong to the same family (Cucurbitaceae) but to different
genus (Cucumis and Cucurbita). They will not cross pollinate. Squash have several species
groups (maxima, mixta, moschata, and pepo). These species will generally never cross pollinate
but two different varieties (acorn and crookneck squash) could cross pollinate because they
both belong to the pepo species.
When including information in the notes section, try to include such things as color, size, days
to harvest, determinate or indeterminate, organic, etc. The more information the more helpful
it is for the next grower.