Seeds of Change

Did you know you can save seeds yourself!?

This simple task is a fun way to connect with nature around you, learn a little more about plants in your area, and a cost effective way to start building your own garden!

Seed saving from plants around your neighborhood or local parks will ensure that you have seed well adapted to your environment as well so you will have healthy plants for the future!

How to start saving seed

All plants produce seeds differently, so here a few easy ones to start with:

Marigolds

Zinnias

Cosmos

Tip:

When in doubt, look it up! There is so much good information out there these days, don't be afraid to look up specific questions you may have. Find a YouTube video if you are a visual learner, check out a book from your local library, or ask gardeners if you see them working in their own space... gardeners love to share knowledge!

We are all in this together and you can't learn if you don't ask!

Zinnias, Marigold & Cosmos Seed Saving:

First things first, timing is everything. To harvest zinnia, marigold or cosmos seeds, you need to let the flowers do their thing throughout the growing season. The longer they spend on the stem the better chance your seeds are viable!

As the season progresses, you’ll notice the flowers mature, and this is when you should start thinking about seed saving. For best seed harvesting results you should let your flowers dry out on the stem. They will look spent and usually are brown.

Gently tug on the petals on the underside of a bloom still on the stem.

If the petals easily pull away, leaving behind a firm, thick, dark seed base, you’ve most likely got pollinated seeds!

Now just snip off the flower heads. No need to keep the stem! Place your freshly harvested flower heads (which are full of seeds) in a dry place. I like to use a paper towels spread them out on my counter or dining room table, as it allows for good air circulation while keeping the flower heads contained. I recommend letting them dry for 2-3 weeks so there is not chance of moisture. Zinnias, Marigold and Cosmos hold a lot of moisture so be patient and make sure the get crispy!

Now comes the fun part – harvesting the seeds! This is simple also, you can pull the petal off to reveal seeds at the base. It's the little hard black or brown bit that should come away easy if you lightly tug at it. Yes, that's a seed! Once you harvest a good amount of seed, store in a paper bag or paper envelope in a cool, dark place free of moisture.

These seeds should be viable for a few years if stored properly and will give you so many blooms!

Give it a try! Once you feel confident saving these simple flower seeds, you can look up whatever plant you wish to save seed from, learn about where their seed and produced and give it a go. What do you have to lose!? Plucking a flower or two from a friends garden or a local park is free and a fun way to learn more about plants you are interested in. Just remember, you share these plants with the ecosystem, so just take one or two seed heads, it's really all you'll need, and leave the rest for the birds and critters that also rely on these seeds for food in the fall and winter months.

Happy Seed Saving!