Tips for Saving Flower Seeds From Your Garden

Kids have always known that saving flower seeds can be a lot of fun, but adults often overlook this task in favor of purchasing flower seeds from seed catalogs or specialty stores. With a little time and effort, you can gather seeds from your flowerbed--or hire your youngster to do it for you--and save yourself the expense of buying new ones in the spring.

Selecting Plants for Seed Production

Choose healthy plants with the traits you desire to preserve. Consider the bloom size, color, fragrance and blooming time, as well as the overall plant characteristics, such as foliage and height. These characteristics are likely to be passed on in the seeds of the plant. Tagging the plant with a colored ribbon and allowing it to go to seed increases your chances of preserving just the traits you desire.

Harvesting the Seeds

Harvest seed heads or pods just before they open. Some prefer to tie a paper bag over the seed head to capture seeds when they disperse naturally, but you can harvest the seed head by cutting the stalk from the plant, if you prefer. Harvest seed heads in the afternoon after the moisture of the night has dried.

Drying Seeds

Remove any foliage from the plant stalk to speed drying. Gather 4 to 6 stems in a bundle and secure with elastic or a piece of twine. Hang upside down in a cool, well-ventilated area until seed heads are dry. Again, securing a paper bag over the seed head catches seeds when they disperse. Remove seeds from the pods with your fingers if they do not disperse naturally.

Storing Flower Seeds

Place the seeds in a glass jar or a moisture-proof container. Label the seeds. Include the name of the flower, its color and any other identifying information you will need in the spring. Include the date for future reference. Store the seeds in a cool dark area until planting time in the spring.

Beware of Hybrids

Hybrids have been bred by crossing two or more cultivars. Seeds from hybrid will not reproduce true to form, and some will not germinate--but they may produce some interesting varieties.

Saving your own seeds from flowers provides an abundance of seeds for the following year and doesn't cost a thing. Consider seed saving as an economical way to expand your flowerbed and share with neighbors and friends. Many "swap seeds" with friends and neighbors so everyone can enjoy a variety of flowers.

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