How to Collect Strawberry Seeds

Select the biggest, most delicious-looking berries in your strawberry patch. They should be free of blemishes and bruises. Collect seeds from disease-free strawberries, as any problems will passed along to the plants you grow from the seeds.

Allow the strawberry to remain on the plant until the berry is overripe and slightly soft. Place the berry in a fine mesh strainer.

Push the strawberry through the strainer. Push gently so that only the pulp passes through the strainer and the seeds are left behind. Be careful not to mash the seeds.

Rinse the strawberry seeds carefully under cool tap water. Place the rinsed strawberry seeds on a plate and allow the seeds to remain on the plate until they are dry, about 7 to 10 days. Stir the seeds once every day so the seeds will dry evenly.

Remove the strawberry seeds from the plate when the seeds are easily separated and no longer stick together. Dry seeds will move easily and won't stick to the plate when you push them with your finger.

Store the dry strawberry seeds in a small paper envelope. Label the envelope with the variety of seeds and the date the seeds were harvested. Store the strawberry seeds in a cool, dark place until spring.