Marilyn Piel, age 8, of Staten Island, N.Y., for her question:

CAN PLANT SEEDS BE KEPT THROUGH THE WINTER?

Seeds from some of our flowers and vegetables can be kept through the winter. Naturally, we must know which seeds to save and how to store them. Most of them will grow new plants next year. Dry them well. Seal each variety in an envelope and add its name. The seeds from plants called hybrids are not worth saving. They may grow, but the new plants will not be like their parents.