September is here, which means we have made it through the worst of summer. I, for one, welcome our cooler and darker days. I confess I did an absolutely abysmal job with our backyard and garden this year, and as things start to die and go to seed, I feel my shame start to lessen. The end of gardening season can be a blessing in that regard–the end of neglect and the hope of a better garden next year remains! So what is there left to do as we harvest our last vegetables and herbs?
Something that can be done as seasonal plants start to fade is seed collection for next year. While it is worth a try saving any seeds that you enjoyed over the course of the summer, there are a few things to keep in mind. One thing to consider is whether the plant is a hybrid or an open-pollinated variety. Hybrid plants were those that were cross-pollinated and cultivated to highlight certain traits and as a result will not return plants that look like the original. Instead, they will likely revert to more common versions of the same species of plant. If you’re really into the idea of saving a known hybrid plant for next year, take a cutting or simply buy the plant or seeds again next year.
If the plant you want to collect seeds from is of an open-pollinated variety, you will likely yield the same plant from the seeds. Unlike their hybrid cousins, these plants have self-pollinated via wind and insects and have adapted to their environment and will likely remain robust and steadfast when their seeds are replanted the following year. If you are unsure of what sort of plants you have, you can always use an identification app to narrow down what they are.
How does one go about actually harvesting the seeds? Good question! Obviously vegetable seeds can be harvested when you cut them open to eat. There are various methods depending on which vegetable or fruit you would like to harvest seeds from. The University of Minnesota Extension website has some good tips for the best practices for the most popular vegetable seed harvesting. You can find that on this website: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/saving-vegetable-seeds.
For flowers, the best idea is to wait about a month after the plant’s flower has died with the seed heads turned down. Letting them dry out on their own outside saves you time, space and work. It’s best to harvest on a dry, sunny day. Gently snip off the heads of the flowers you wish to collect seeds from and put them in a labeled bag. Once you’ve gathered all you like, take the plants inside and separate the seeds from the chaff. Try to clear as much of the plant matter as possible so that it doesn’t invite mold or mildew to form. Let them dry completely on a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and tip them into labeled envelopes. Make sure they dry for at least a week so that moisture is not locked in and causes the seeds to mold. If you want more information about this process, the Farmer’s Almanac has a great article with step-by-step instructions: https://www.almanac.com/how-save-flower-seeds-next-year#
It is easy to think of the arrival of autumn as a sad time with cooler temperatures and darker days. Instead of being completely gloomy and down in the dumps, consider bottling up a bit of that summer joy to save for next year. Happy seed saving!
