What is a good way to harvest and store seeds? You've had a bountiful flower garden this year and want to keep seeds, or maybe it is only one plant that you really want more of, or friends ask for a start of some of your plants.
- Remember the plant or mark its location in some way. Often plants look different at various stages of their life cycles. Our memories often fade, unfortunately.
- Harvest the seeds when they are mature.
- Allow the seeds to dry in a cool, dark, dry location. Placing seeds on a wire screen allows air to circulate through and around them.
- When seeds are dry, shake them loose from other plant materials if necessary.
- Store the seeds in something that allows them to breathe. Paper works well. The little 2 ½ x 4 ½ brown coin envelopes are excellent.
- Label the envelope with the seeds' names. You may want to add the date of the harvest and planting specifics, such as full sun, part sun, shade, etc.
- If you are like me, make some notation to yourself as to where you put the seeds so you'll remember when planting time comes around.
Laquita Showen, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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