Oats are about as low-risk as grain seed saving gets. The flowers are cleistogamous -- they pollinate themselves before the flower even opens -- so cross-pollination between varieties is rare even when grown close together.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Safe to Save
Very low crossing risk
How It's Pollinated
Self-pollinating (cleistogamous -- flowers fertilise before opening)
(Very low crossing risk)
Scientific name: Avena sativa
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Minimal crossing between oat varieties
- Flowers self-pollinate before they even open
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- Wild oat (Avena fatua) is a common arable weed and can occasionally cross -- rogue it out if present nearby
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 3-5m between varieties
Recommended: 10m for extra security
Strict: Not usually needed -- cleistogamous flowering makes outcrossing rare
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Allow the whole plant to dry and turn golden-brown
- Cut and stook, or thresh directly once fully dry
- Store dry grain somewhere cool -- viable 4-5 years