What is a seed?
This might seem like a simple question, but seeds play a much larger role than their tiny form might let on. Seeds are one of the most important means of plant reproduction. They carry the genetic material from parent plants and grow into genetically distinct offspring. Meaning, seeds facilitate sexual reproduction and promote genetic diversity in plants.
Most seeds are hardy, long lived, and able to rest under the soil for many years in dormancy until the conditions are just right. Once the seed is in favorable conditions, it will break its period of ‘dormancy’ and begin to sprout or germinate. 
Parts of a Seed
- Seed coat: the protective layer of the seed
- Endosperm: the stored nutrients in the seed that feeds the embryo
- Embryo: a few cells that become a mature plant (cotyledon+radicle)
Tips for Purchasing Seeds
- Match the plant type to the conditions you plan to grow the plants in, consider Florida Friendly varieties and cultivars
UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones. - Buy from trusted sources
- Read the packet and follow the instructions and planting dates
- Look for germination & packaging date
- Avoid handling seeds with your bare hands or wash them after handling
- Some packaged seeds are pre-treated with pesticides and other coatings
Learn more about Seed Sources – Gardening Solutions.
Learn More
Read more about pollination – the process that creates a seed.
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Resources:
- PropagationUF.pdf
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Starting from Seed – Gardening Solutions
- Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- seed saving
- Seeding the Garden
- SeedSavers.org
Supervising agent: Whitney Elmore
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