Collecting Seeds: Collect seeds that are open-pollinated varieties, which means the seeds being saved will produce plants with the same characteristics as the parent.
Annual flowers: Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Cosmos, Calendula, Snapdragons, Amaranth, Sunflower,
Morning glory, Zinnias
Perennial flowers: Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan), Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower), Coreopsis (Tickseed), Digitalis (Foxglove), Centranthus ruber (Red valerian), Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William), Aquilegia (Columbine).
Harvesting your seeds:
- Collect seeds on a sunny dry day. Seeds are ripe for harvest when the seed-heads look dry and brown.
- Use hand pruners, or scissors, to snip off spent flowers and seed-heads. Place each variety you’re collecting in sperate paper bags or boxes.
- Spread seeds on a paper towel, a paper bag or in a small cardboard box. Label seeds while they are drying.
- Leave seeds in a cool dry location for a week or two to dry and make sure your seeds are fully dry before storing.
- Remove unwanted plant material like pods & husks, and place seeds in envelopes or jars to store;
avoid using plastic bags. Label your seeds in the storage containers!
- Store seeds in a cool spot away from moisture and light.
- Research seed variety for specific planting instructions and sow them in the spring.
Small seeds TIP: Put dried seed heads into a glass jar, close with a lid then shake the jar to dislodge seeds. Pour contents in a colander to separate seeds from the plant material. Store seeds in an air tight container.
Note: Some perennials take a year or two to reach maturity and flower.
Information & photos by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member