Time to start saving seeds

[veggiechicken]

Lots of seedheads on plants now and its a good time to save them - for your own use and to swap on one of the many Seed Circles on here.

Cut the heads when they're dry, preferably after a few sunny days. I cut them into recycled food trays, spread them out and leave them somewhere to dry out thoroughly - dry enough to rattle in the pod or shake apart.
Don't forget to label them.

When they're completely dry, they go into paper bags or envelopes and most seeds will fall out naturally. Some pods need cracking to release the seeds.

Today, I've collected Angelica, Calendula, Chives ,Purple Kale and Dimorphotheca.

Perhaps you'd like to list what you've saved. Any questions - just ask. Somebody will know the answer.

[Containergardener]

Anyone tried geum or trollious ?

[veggiechicken]

If the seed heads are fully formed, try saving them. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

[Small pumpkin]

I have a list of things I want to save from this year .
Nothing's ready up here yet. It'll be a few week yet.
I'll join in listing when I start saving

[Mitzi]

Lots of seedheads on plants now and its a good time to save them - for your own use and to swap on one of the many Seed Circles on here.

Cut the heads when they're dry, preferably after a few sunny days.

Ha ha ha! Very funny!

Any questions - just ask. Somebody will know the answer.

OK, here's my question: When will it stop raining? This morning it wasn't actively raining but everything was wet from last night's rain. Right now it is siling down (as we say in Yorkshire.) Yesterday it rained. The day before yesterday, it rained. The day before that, it rained. For days and weeks before that, it rained. So, who knows the answer?

[veggiechicken]

For weather advice, ask Penellype.

[Scarlet]

I've bagged up some welsh onions already.....


I just wait until the seed falls in the bag.

Any peeps new to seed saving - wedding favour bags are great for bagging flower heads.

I've got a few cuttings on the go too!
Clematis


And a load of penstemons cuttings - a plant that is one of the easiest to propagate and will flower really well the following year, making quite a large clump.

[Scarlet]

Mitzi, you should move to wiltshire.
Beautiful here today!

[bramble]

Beautiful day here today as well...
Long may it last,

[Nicos]

I have a horizontal area of lupins following on from the heavy rain and winds.
I've cut off the flower stems as they have finished flowering.
Thing is, the seedpods are still green.
Should the seeds mature properly and dry out if left in a warm, dry place?
(I've only ever collected from dry seed pods about to pop previously.)

[Containergardener]

If the seed heads are fully formed, try saving them. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

How do i know if theyre fully formed,
do they have to be dry,
I dont know what they look like,
what if it rains

[bikermike]

phalocaelia (sp?) collected.
In other news, I have planted out more saved bean seeds from 2017 (the first planting got nibbled by something).

Interestingly, the 2018 crop was of smaller beans. I don't know if it was because of the dry weather or cross-pollination/degradation of the plant etc. It will be interesting to see what the 2019 crop is like (albeit it will be very late in).

[Small pumpkin]

I saved some snakes head fritillary yesterday.
I know they'll take a while to flower from seed. They'll have all the time they need in my new garden ( fingers still crossed )

[Workslave]

I spotted a load of foxgloves today that have set pods, just a bit longer until dry I think
I assume taking a few pods from each plant is ok? I know your not supposed to dig wild flowers
If not someone at my allotment has some but they are no where near as vigorous as the wild ones, some are 5-6 feet high
Sincerely
Steve

[veggiechicken]

I'm sure its OK to take some seed from wild foxgloves, Steve.
The ones here seem to be exceptionally tall this year.