Best lettuce we had this spring was volunteer. I've let a couple go to seed. Was a romaine type. It may be Jerico which is open pollinated anyway. Same with last year's watermelons. The volunteer vine that came up in the strawberry patch had great melons. I planted some saved seed and they are doing fine so far.
Thanks, Mart. The first time I let lettuce go to seed it was pure laziness. I didn't get around to taking out several plants. When I finally got to it, I had a lot of seed to collect. Last year, I let one plant go to seed. Apparently seed blew all over the garden before I collected it. That lettuce was superior to what I'd planted. I've also save water melon seeds every year. But, I usually pull any volunteers because they have never come up where I can let them grow. For example: right next to the back door where we have to walk. Edit: I saved honey dew melon seed from one I bought at the store last summer. I planted 10 seeds in a circle and only three came up. We'll see. That experiment is what inspired my question. Who knows what kind of melon I'll get? But if they are any good then I'll save some of that seed too.
There is no reason you cannot let some things such as lettuce or spinach or whatever go to seed in your garden. It saves you $$$$ on buying next year's seed. A lot of garden veggies will reseed themselves if you let them, and they will be already planted in the spring. I figure you are that much ahead next year.
I feel that seed saved from favorite varieties gets better each season. Some maybe because it adapts to your microclimates, and another because we pick some of the best plants to go to seed. It is definitely a win-win whatever the reasons. Keep it up, it is always a great resource, and makes gardening that much more personal.
Thanks Jewell and AAnightowl. I've planted my own watermelon seed for several years now (four). My experience confirms your "answers". I'm trying to avoid hybrids when it comes to planting herbs and veggies. That's challenging when you live in the desert heat. I'd really like to get dependable varieties that I can count on.
You might want to check out this site http://www.nativeseeds.org/. They are based in the southwest. If you know the old open pollinated varieties you are interested in Seed Savers Exchange can be a source of seeds too.
I love Native Seeds! This spring I visited their store in Tucson, Arizona. I bought some bean, squash and carrot seed. I took home a catalog and they have onions I can start from seed (short day varieties)that are sometimes hard to find. I've heard of Seed Savers but never really looked into it. Guess now I will. Thanks.
Try a watermelon called Desert King (I think). I plant them every year because they do better in dry climates. Our summers can get pretty brutal. I have never got anything other than the same thing from saved seed of melons. I grow Jubilee, Charleston Gray, and Desert King, Occasionally I will add some Sugar Babies. Have not had any of them to cross either.
