Now is time to start saving seeds...well atleast here it is time. I try to save all of the seeds I can. I save jars throughout the year, candle jars, any kind of jar.
I try to go out 2 -3 times a week and gather seeds. I usually take one of the jars with me so I can put those particular seeds in the jar. 
This is Bee Balm...this is the first time I have collected seeds from it...so we will see how well it goes next Spring!
Prairie Coneflower seeds. Last year I collected a PILE of white and purple coneflower seeds...and for 5-6 months none of them did a thing. I finally got aggravated and threw them out into the flower beds! Low and behold a few of them started to grow after that!
These are the fun ones! Any guesses as to what it is????
Its a hibiscus! Thew pods contain several little seeds. When they dry, they will open up and point toward the sky. Within a day or so, the pods with droop down and drop their seeds onto the ground. So you have to catch them before they drop. The one above is still facing up.
These 2 had already dropped, but you can see a few seeds still in them. I just take my jar, and put the pod in the jar, tap on it, and the seeds come out!
This is by far my favorite to collect....zinnias! I save so many of them! I just keep a big bucket and throw the heads over in it. In a few months, after the heads are good and dry I will separate the seeds from the petal, and store them in jars! I usually have so many zinnia seeds I give them to everyone. Zinnias are extremely easy to grow from seed.....
these came from seeds I collected from plants the year before
As did these
I have several more that also came from seed.
I always stick a label on the jar so I will know what is in each jar. Then I store them some where dry (I wouldn't recommend storing them outside).
While I was collecting seeds I noticed my Jacobean plant in full bloom...FINALLY! Darla's has been blooming since May!
Plumbago
I try to go out 2 -3 times a week and gather seeds. I usually take one of the jars with me so I can put those particular seeds in the jar. This is Bee Balm...this is the first time I have collected seeds from it...so we will see how well it goes next Spring!
Prairie Coneflower seeds. Last year I collected a PILE of white and purple coneflower seeds...and for 5-6 months none of them did a thing. I finally got aggravated and threw them out into the flower beds! Low and behold a few of them started to grow after that!
These are the fun ones! Any guesses as to what it is????
Its a hibiscus! Thew pods contain several little seeds. When they dry, they will open up and point toward the sky. Within a day or so, the pods with droop down and drop their seeds onto the ground. So you have to catch them before they drop. The one above is still facing up.
These 2 had already dropped, but you can see a few seeds still in them. I just take my jar, and put the pod in the jar, tap on it, and the seeds come out!
This is by far my favorite to collect....zinnias! I save so many of them! I just keep a big bucket and throw the heads over in it. In a few months, after the heads are good and dry I will separate the seeds from the petal, and store them in jars! I usually have so many zinnia seeds I give them to everyone. Zinnias are extremely easy to grow from seed.....
these came from seeds I collected from plants the year before
As did these
I have several more that also came from seed.I always stick a label on the jar so I will know what is in each jar. Then I store them some where dry (I wouldn't recommend storing them outside).
While I was collecting seeds I noticed my Jacobean plant in full bloom...FINALLY! Darla's has been blooming since May!
PlumbagoThis year I am going to purchase a small greenhouse. Last year I planted to late. I planted in March, and in South Alabama that is TOO late. This year I will be planting the first of January, and housing it all in my green house. I feel certain that this was my problem last year. By the time I planted it was already hot here. So according to our local garden guru, I need to plant in January! So that's what I am going to do!
So, do ya'll save seeds? If so we should have a seed swap!
FYI....Bilbo is in Texas....but apparently his new host is having internet problems....so ya'll hang in there. Hopefully he will make his appearance this week so we can get him on to his next host!
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18 comments:
DP...love the post! I have boo coodles of seed already! NO Hibiscus though. :(
I have lots of Zinnia, some Bachlor Button, lots of Canna, Foxglove and Marigold seed I collected. I ordered a bunch of different Lily seeds, white Canna,
white Hibicus and Lavender. I also have about 30 packs of different seed I picked up at Lowe's this summer on sale. Hubby is working on the greenhouse,when it's not raining, so I'll be planting this winter too! :)
You are so organized! Great job! I love zinnia's but didn't know they were easy to grow from seed. I've got a bunch still growing and seeding in my yard so I'm definitely going to go out and collect the seeds. -Jackie
Hey, love the Jacobean plant!
You are so good at seed-saving, dividing, etc!!! I need to take some lessons!
If you have any extra zinnia seeds, feel free to bring them in Nov.! LOL!!
I love the plumbago's and plan to grow some next spring from seed for an annual here.
I grow more Coneflowers by just taking the heads off and planting them in a hold over bed or where I want them to grow. Just cover the heads with a little dirt this fall and next spring little ones will come up from the seeds. I have trouble just trying to seed them in the house too. You have to give them a cold start in the fridge before planting them anyway so I just leave them outdoors.
Great suggestions! It's so nice to see someone who takes the time to collect and grow plants from seed. Looks like you are going to have a great stock next year! I enjoyed your progression of photos.
Duh!!!!!!! I save seeds!! hahaha...coneflowers just need to be tossed, found that out the hard way too. I was in a seed swap last winter and loved it....we need to organize a BIG one!! How the heck do you remember when my Jacobina started blooming.......it's still blooming by the way!!
I've been out saving seeds too. I'm trying to save Zinnias for the first time this year. You're much smarter than me by using jars. I put some in baggies earlier and even though I left them open the seeds got moldy.
The Jacobean plant is really pretty, kind of looks like a Bee balm.
Good for you! I am a seed saver too and I also love to share them with friends and family. It's just soooo cool to use your own seeds and enjoy them. I print pics of the plant and pop them in the jar or baggie for reference.
Ya'll have a great day and God bless!!!
Love that ahhh I don't know what it was - 5 second memory but it was really pretty and so was the . . . What do they say about the golden years? Well, trust me it isn't so!
On to the seeds - looks like you're getting lots of them. I've been doing that too. Don't know why you know how I do with seeds. LOL
I've tried contacting you for days to tell you your word verification wasn't working. I'd have thought you already knew since you didn't have any comments and your usually such a popular thing! ;-)
Glad it's fixed now!!!
Carol I have to plant in January in order for them to be ready to plant/grow come March! We should start a seed swap!
Jackie zinnias are incredibly easy to grow from seed!
Ginger I will definitely share seeds with you!
HHG thanks for the great tip! A fellow gardener has told me that she freezes all of her seeds, that it helps them to germinate quicker!
Miss Daisy, growing from seeds is so rewarding to me, not to mention a lot cheaper!
Darla, I remember because I was envious that mine wasnt blooming yet! We are gong to to a seed swap!
Catherine, my 80 year old garden buddy told me to save them in a good container where they could air out and dry properly. So I started saving mason jars, candle jars, etc. They work out great. I just wash them out after I am done, and put them up to store until I need them again.
Nezzy I thought about doing the same with pics. Stay tuned...I am thinking! LOL!
Rg...I didn't have any idea that my word verification was acting up! Thanks for letting me know. They only way I ever know when something is messed up is through ya'll! So thanks!
you did a great job! I can't wait to see how they grow next season!
I joined blotanical today...still have to figure the site out...but will do it soon.
nothing is going the way it should this week...and I am already hating winter...it is supposed to warm up a little bit next week...cross your fingers for me
Unfortunately I haven't collected much seed this year. Too bad for me, huh? Gardening doesn't have to be expensive, some people just aren't aware of this.
Great idea using the jars. Any collected seed I may have is in envelopes.
I don't have seeds to share but wish you luck with your new varieties and sharing with others who would like to. I did cold frames last year when I did seeds and it worked pretty well. I got old windows and made a makeshift rickety contraption that did pretty good. I had a protected area where it worked well. But it was so much work that I decided not to do it this year. I'm just gonna do things that will direct sow.
Love the look and new posting method!
Tootsie I havent gotten on Blotanical in a while. I do enjoy it, but I found it hard to keep up with both.
Susie you know I am a cheap gardener!
flowergardengirl I remember readin about your cold frames. I may do something like that as well. I do have some success with direct sowing, but thats like a 50/50 shot
You rock, DP! I so need to start saving my seeds. It would save me a bundle and what a great way to recycle. Maybe I will go see what I still have out there this morning.
I love to save seeds. I have been going through mine this morning and setting aside the ones I am going to plant this month; Sweet peas, larkspur, snapdragon, calendula, allyssum. BES, toadflax, viola...and of course, POPPY!
I have found that keeping my seeds in manilla coin envelopes works best. The paper absorbs any moisture, thus saving them from mold and/or mildew. It is so humid here, we have a hard time keeping things from mildew.
Also, what kind of hibiscus is that, do you know? Is it a mallow, or a hardy hibiscus? I love hibiscus!
Great post!
its been ages since i collected seeds, nowadays i go with self sow, but my most favorite memories are of collecting and separating the chaff on a warm fall day.
This is my first visit to your creative blog! I need to get my seeds in view, I've been putting them in envelopes and sometimes they mold before I get back to them. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
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