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This past week, I took advantage of the nice weather to gather a few seeds from some of my favourite plants. I have some poppies and marigolds for which I received seeds in the early 1090s and have been growing them ever since. I do let seeds drop into the garden but, for the special plants, I collect flower heads and allow the seed to dry.
I like to use those mesh bags in which they put candy at weddings. You often can buy them in dollar stores or at garage sales. The best way to collect seeds is when you see a flower in a colour you like, take one of these mesh bags and put it over the flower and tie the drawing string around the base. This will keep birds from steeling all the seeds. Once the flower fades and the petals turn brown you can cut the bloom off the stem and you have all the seeds confined in the bag.
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Seeds do best stored in a cool, dry location. So, once I remove the bloom from a plant I will let it dry in a cool location out of the sun. I often have hung these bags in the garage for a few more weeks to make sure everything is good and dry. Don’t forget to label them. I put the bags of dried seeds into an airtight container and store them in the crisper of my fridge. This keeps the seeds at a constant temperature till I am ready to plant them.
Did you know there are seeds in the seed bank at Kew Gardens in England that are hundreds of years old and are still viable and will produce plants?
Now, also, is the time to take cuttings from some of your annuals and grow them as house plants all winter. For me, I take cuttings from coleus and geraniums. Take cuttings from the tips and use the newest growth. You can root them in water or soil..
Don’t be afraid to experiment. You already have paid for and enjoyed these plants this season, so why not try to keep them over the winter for next year? Plus, you can share plants and seeds at a plant exchange in the spring.
Denise Hodgins is a professional gardening coach in London. Send your questions to coaching@diggendirtdesigns.com
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