How-to Guide
How to Save Seeds from Beans, Peas, and Lettuce
The short answer
Beans, peas, and lettuce are among the easiest crops to save because they are self-pollinating, so their seed usually comes true. Let bean and pea pods stay on the plant until they are brown and dry and the seeds rattle inside, which can be about a month past the eating stage, then dry them further indoors before shelling.
For lettuce, gather the fluffy seed heads before wind scatters them and rub them apart to free the seed. Dry all of this seed well, then store it cool and dark.
Beans and peas
- 1Leave pods to dry — Let pods ripen on the plant until brown and dry with seeds rattling inside, roughly a month after eating stage.
- 2Dry indoors — Strip pods and spread them to dry indoors at least two weeks before shelling, or leave seeds in the pods until planting.
Lettuce
- 1Catch the seed heads — Harvest seed heads before the wind disperses them once the plant has bolted and flowered.
- 2Separate the seed — Pick apart or rub the heads between your hands to release seed from the fluffy pappus.
✔ Beans, peas, tomatoes, and lettuce are recommended for beginners because self-pollination limits unwanted crossing.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- University of Minnesota Extension — Saving vegetable seeds — Beans, peas and lettuce are self-pollinating and easiest to save; dry pods on the plant until brown.
- Oregon State University Extension — Collecting and storing seeds from your garden — Let dry-seeded crops mature and dry, shell after further drying, and harvest lettuce seed before it scatters.