Question
Can you tell me how to dry and/or preserve seeds from pods for planting next year?  I don't know the name of this "annual" climbing vine because I didn't keep the seed packet.  It was labeled an annual and I planted it because of the photo on the packet and its functionality, as it is a climbing vine that I planted to grow on a large arched trellis.

It is a very vigorous and robust climbing vine with large dark purple leaves.  It began flowering light small purple clustered flowers in August.  I'm now finding deep purple shinny seed pods forming on the vines.  Can I do anything with the seeds in the pod to replant next year?  The pod resembles the shape of flat a snow pea pod, but a bit larger.

Any information you can provide would be appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Terri:

This sounds very much like Hyacinth bean. It comes in a variety of leaf colors including your purple.

It would have been good if you had saved the package. Take a hint from a long time gardener and never throw out any seed package from a new plant or variety until the fall. If it's one you like you may want to look up info on it. It Is also good to have the planting instructions if you want to save seed.

If you want to save the seeds first you must wait until the pods are brown and very dry. They may even be starting to open. If you get them before that you will get immature seeds that will be no good.

Open the pod and remove the seeds. I like to put them in an open dish inside in a dry place, but not in the sun, for a couple of days, so that if there is any moisture it will evaporate. Then I put them in a labeled sealed envelope and store in a relatively cool, dry, dark place. Like a closet or cupboard. Those little charcoal packages you get in shoes can be recycled to help keep the moisture away from saved seeds. Any moisture and the seeds will start to rot or sprout.

Here's a tip for starting your seeds next year. The day before you want to plant, wrap the seeds in a wet paper towel. When you plant dig your trench and wet the ground in it. Then drop in your seeds. The seeds will swell in the towel and the moisture in the trench will help them sprout.

To test the viability of your saved seeds, take a couple and put them in a tin foil pie plate that has been lined with a wet paper towel. In a few days they should sprout. If they do the rest of your seed should be good.

Hope this helps                   Myrna