Where Do Vegetable Seeds Come From? The Plant Life Cycle Explained

Ever wonder how seeds end up in packets? It's the final stage of a plant's life cycle—nature's succession plan.

From Flower to Seed Packet

1. Flowering: Plant produces blooms for reproduction
2. Pollination: Insects, wind, or self-pollination transfers pollen
3. Fertilization: Ovules develop into seeds within ovary
4. Maturation: Seeds ripen, accumulate reserves, enter dormancy
5. Harvest: Seed pods/capsules collected at full maturity
6. Processing: Cleaned, dried, tested for germination, viability
7. Packaging: Sealed in moisture-proof packets with lot numbers
8. Distribution: Shipped to retailers for spring sales

Pre-Store Era

Gardeners saved their own seed—selecting best plants, drying pods, storing cool/dry. This created landraces adapted to local conditions. Modern hybrid seeds don't breed true, necessitating annual purchase.

Seed Viability

Properly stored (cool, dry, dark), most vegetable seeds last 2–5 years. Onions, parsnips: 1 year. Tomatoes, beans: 4+ years. Test germination before planting old seed.

Every packet holds generations of selection. Honor it with good soil and patience.