The Amish don't buy seeds every year. They save their own — free, adapted to local soil.
Which Seeds to Save
Only from open-pollinated plants. Hybrids (F1) don't reproduce true — offspring will differ. The Amish grow heirloom varieties, some hundreds of years old.
How to Collect
Tomatoes: squeeze seeds with pulp into a jar of water. Ferment 2–3 days — kills disease. Rinse, dry. Beans/peas: leave pods on the plant until fully dry. Harvest, shell. Carrots/beets: biennials — seed in year two. Leave some roots to overwinter.
Drying
Spread on paper in a dry, ventilated place. Not in sun. 1–2 weeks. Seeds should snap, not bend.
Storage
Paper envelopes or glass jars. Cool, dry place. Label: variety, date, notes. Most seeds last 3–5 years, some up to 10.
Adaptation
Each year, seeds adapt better to your soil, climate, conditions. After 5–10 years, you're growing a variety optimized for your garden.