How to Save Seeds for Beginners
Have you ever wanted to save garden seeds, but weren't sure where to start? This primer will show you how to save seeds...for beginners. I'll use marigolds as an example because they are very easy seeds to harvest, store and save.
To save seeds, you'll need mature plants such as the marigolds in this picture. Throughout the growing season and well into the fall, marigolds form seed pods. When the pods dry, each one opens to reveal multiple seeds. You'll need mature plants to produce pods. You'll also need a container, such as a dry, clean coffee can or plastic container with lid, paper towels, and if you have any at hand, those little silica gel packets that come with shoes and other goods that must be kept dry.
The picture above shows marigold seed pods. The seed pods are brown and dry, and form on the tips of the stems where a flower was. When the pods look like this and are dry to the touch, you can pick them off with your fingertips. Place them inside your container and harvest as many as you can.
This is a close up of the dried seed pods...these are perfect to harvest and store.
Bring your seeds inside. Spread paper towels on your work space. Using your fingers, break open each seed pod. Inside, shaped like tiny match sticks, are the seeds. The picture above shows a marigold seed pod broken open, with seeds exposed. Save only the seeds; compost or discard the rest.
Once the seeds are separated from the husk or outer shell, use your paper towel to gather them all up on your work space. Tap the seeds into the plastic container or coffee can. If they are dry, you can close the lid to store them. If they are damp, leave the lid off for a week or so to dry them out. Placing a silica gel packet inside the container also keeps them nice and dry, but keep silica gel away from kids and pets; it's poisonous.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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4 comments
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obviously you know much more about gardening than me! I have impatiens that are growing profusely and must be self sowing because new little baby plants are coming up all around them. Is there a way to harvest these seeds for next summer?? Any thoughts would be most welcome!
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@Jeanne Grunert thanks for the info -
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What a great article - thanks so much!
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Do you just sprinkle on the ground or make a little hole for the seesds