Saving Seeds

There is a tremendous sense of satisfaction in raising plants from seeds collected in your own garden. Keep a regular check on developing seed pods. Most will usually turn brown and papery when the seeds are ripe. Always harvest on a dry, still day. Here are three more tips for harvesting seeds from your garden.

1. Seeds fall easily into the hand with a gentle tap when ripe. To prevent seeds from dropping and spreading indiscriminately, use a paper bag to collect the seeds or cut the dry head from the plant and place it in a tray.

2. Spread harvested seeds on a paper towel and place them in a warm, well-ventilated spot for a few days. This will ensure that the seeds dry thoroughly before storing.

3. Glass or plastic jars with airtight lids are ideal for storing seeds — or you can keep them in sturdy paper envelopes. Label clearly with the name of the plant and when the seeds were collected.

Gardening Month by Month by Ian Spence (DK Publishing, 2011)