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Can I plant seeds from fruits and veggies purchased at the grocery store?

Okay, so I've been looking at seed catalogs and planning my garden for next year. Potatos are pretty expensive, about $18 a set for the fingerlings I want. However, the same fingerlings sold for eating are only about $8 a sack at Costco. So here's what I'm wondering ... couldn't I buy the fingerlings from Costco, let them start growing eyes, and then plant those? Is there any reason why I can't plant any seeds obtained from organic fruits and veggies? Okay, I know that if I grow an apple tree or pear tree from seed, I'm going to get a surprise tree with fruit unlike the fruit I got the seed from, but in general, can I plant potatoes from the store? What about taking the seeds out of peppers, tomatoes, squash, etc? Anyone know? I'm not even super concerned with it coming from an organic fruit or veggie, as long as I grow it organic on my end. Part of the reason why I garden is to save money on food, and I know I'll get a lot more in harvest than what I spend on seed, but if I can cut my costs on seed it sure would help.

Public Comments

1. i do believe you can i tried growing from a apple seed........ i took the seed but it on a wet paper towel put that in a ziplock and place in my window...... it took a while
2. Theoretically, you could grow potatoes from store-bought. If you're 100% certain that it is organic, there shouldn't be any issues. However, conventional potatoes are sprayed with a growth retardant so they don't sprout as quickly. So you want to be absolutely sure that you're using only organic potatoes. As for growing anything else, most store-bought fruits and veggies are hybrids. Hybrids do not come true from seed. You would still get a pepper or a tomato or a squash, but it would most likely not taste anything like the original item and most likely would taste terrible (my experience). A better thing to do would be to either to find a local grower who saves their own seed or plants heirloom or open-pollinated vegetables and ask for some seed. They would more than likely be happy to give you their leftovers as most gardeners I know end up with occasional varieties that they didn't care for personally or that didn't grow well for them or freebies from their seed suppliers. I always have plenty extra. They might even be willing to grow a few plants for you if you ask nicely, or to give you any of their extra plants (if they're like me and grow extras). Seriously, just ask! Most gardeners are friendly people always willing to help new gardeners out. Find one of the online forums and see if anybody has extra seed they'd be willing to send you if you'll pay for postage. For a couple of bucks, you could soon have a whole garden. :)
3. Yes theoretically you can grow produce from other produce seeds. The problem is, you have to know how to do it. For instance, I've heard if you plant wet watermelon seed, you get unedible watermelons. Just do your research before you plant them. About the potatoes, my dad used to plant potatoes from the eyes of old potatoes. The others, I think you have to dry first. Not certain, though.
4. You can plant the fingerlings but there is a chance that they will introduce disease into your garden. Also, some potatoes are treated to prevent sprouting. I have done it before and not had a problem but just beware. As far as growing from organic produce: For this to work the seed would need to be from a non hybrid plant and there is no way to know for sure when you buy vegetables from the grocery store - even if they are organic. Also, it needs to be mature. A green pepper is not a mature pepper so the seed is not mature. Seeds are not that expensive and I think a better solution would be to buy non hybrid seed and learn to save the seeds from what you grow from them. Also, go in with someone since you will likely have more seed per packet than you need. Or someone may be willing to trade you some of your seed for some of theirs or just give you some. I have had people give me some of their seed because it was a year or two old and they bought new seed. These sites have instructions for saving seed: http://www.seedsave.org/issi/issi_904.html http://urbanext.illinois.edu/hortihints/0008c.html http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/clay56.html Lists and sources of non hybrid seeds (you can also use these lists to get names of some varieties that you may be able to find at your local stores) http://www.herb-arium.com/seeds.htm http://www.internet-grocer.net/seeds.htm A site with great gardening information (this will save you money, time, and seed in the long run): http://www.squarefootgardening.com