This sort of small-scale seed collecting is easier than most people think. Here are some tips that can help you along!<\/p>\n
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- Spotting ripening seeds to keep an eye on:<\/strong> When you see the flowerheads drooping or losing their petals, that\u2019s a sure sign they have been pollinated and are on their way to forming seeds. After a time the seeds or seed pods that form will become visible and usually take on a dark colour like brown or black. When they are this dark colour and are dry, you know that it\u2019s time to get ready to harvest seeds. Some, like cosmos and coreopsis, will have petals that fall away. Others, like zinnias and echinacea, have heads that keep their petals and the whole thing turns brown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/New-England-Aster-flower-seed-heads-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n New England Aster flower heads fading and seed heads forming. They will be ready when the seed head looks round with a whitish fluff to help carry the seeds away on the wind.\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cosmos-starting-to-go-to-seed-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Cosmos starting to go to seed\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Zinnia-flower-bud-bee-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Zinnia flower bud (bottom left), flower with bee (at back) and newly forming seedhead on the right\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Coreopsis-flower-bee-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Coreopsis flower finishing (bottom left), another being pollinated and a seed head forming at the back\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n - \n
- Timing your collection:<\/strong> It\u2019s always best to gather seeds when they are dry so avoid harvesting after a rainfall or in the morning, if there is a thick dew. Seeds should typically come away easily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cosmos-seeds-ready-to-fall-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Cosmos seeds ready to fall away from plant\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wild-Bergamot-seeds-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Wild Bergamot seeds are tiny and tucked away within the seed head. You can get seeds by tapping it upside down or gently pulling apart the seed head.\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/obedient-plant-seeds-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Obedient Plant has large black seeds that are quite visible when ripe\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Lavender-flower-head-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Lavender flower head and seed head\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n - \n
- Collecting:<\/strong> You can rub seed heads with your fingers and let the seeds drop into your hand, a bowl or bag. Alternatively, you can snip the seed head and catch that in a container. When you are ready, you can then separate the seeds from other bits. Compost or return to the garden the bits you don\u2019t need, so they go back to nature rather than ending up in the garbage!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Collecting-zinnia-seeds-bag-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Collecting zinnia seeds by snipping the whole seed head in a bag\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Collecting-zinnia-seeds-bowl-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Collecting zinnia seeds by gently pulling seeds away from plant\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Penstemon-seeds-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Penstemon (beardtongue) seeds are tiny and found within a small pod\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Coreopsis-seeds-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Coreopsis seeds are easily separated from the seed head\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Echinacea-seed-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Echinacea seed heads look just like the flower head, only it\u2019s all brown!\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Sometimes, as with wild columbines, you need to tip the seed head upside down for the tiny round seeds to fall out (watch out \u2013 they can roll away very easily!). Some, as with our native Jewelweed (a great plant for treating poison ivy if you treat it right away), have seed pods that spring open in a spiral, causing their seeds to fly in all directions. They are fun for kids but for these plants you\u2019ll need to have your hand tightly enclose the pod to catch the seeds. Jewelweed is a bit of an exception in that its seed pods and seeds are a bright green, but don\u2019t worry, they are still ready to harvest if the pod springs open.<\/p>\n
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- Sharing<\/strong>: Take what you need, share with friends and neighbours\u2026and your local birds! Species like American Goldfinches and Black-capped Chickadees may come to feed on the plant. Others, like juncos and native sparrows, may follow along and eat any seeds on the ground.<\/li>\n
- Storing<\/strong>: If you collected the entire seed head you may wish to separate the seeds so there is less to store in your envelope, taking up less space in your drawer or box. Store in a dry cool place and in an envelope (or paper bag). You can use a glass or plastic container but be 100 per cent sure that the seeds are totally dry to prevent any moisture from spoiling seeds. Mark the envelope with the name of the plant, the year and where they came from, if you have different places to harvest from, like a friend\u2019s garden.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Marigold-seed-head-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n \n Marigold seed head opened up to show tiny match-like seeds within. They are much easier to store than the entire seed heads.\n <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> - Storing<\/strong>: If you collected the entire seed head you may wish to separate the seeds so there is less to store in your envelope, taking up less space in your drawer or box. Store in a dry cool place and in an envelope (or paper bag). You can use a glass or plastic container but be 100 per cent sure that the seeds are totally dry to prevent any moisture from spoiling seeds. Mark the envelope with the name of the plant, the year and where they came from, if you have different places to harvest from, like a friend\u2019s garden.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Sharing<\/strong>: Take what you need, share with friends and neighbours\u2026and your local birds! Species like American Goldfinches and Black-capped Chickadees may come to feed on the plant. Others, like juncos and native sparrows, may follow along and eat any seeds on the ground.<\/li>\n
- Collecting:<\/strong> You can rub seed heads with your fingers and let the seeds drop into your hand, a bowl or bag. Alternatively, you can snip the seed head and catch that in a container. When you are ready, you can then separate the seeds from other bits. Compost or return to the garden the bits you don\u2019t need, so they go back to nature rather than ending up in the garbage!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Timing your collection:<\/strong> It\u2019s always best to gather seeds when they are dry so avoid harvesting after a rainfall or in the morning, if there is a thick dew. Seeds should typically come away easily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cosmos-seed-heads-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/seed-storage-system-440x290-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wild-Geranium-seeds-440x290-1.jpg\")
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