When I was young, I spent my summer days with my grandmother at her house in Huntley. We lived in Woodstock, the county seat, and my mom drove me to my grandparent’s house in the small farming community of Huntley on her way to work. The Dairy Mart, The Huntley Supermarket, and Harris Bank were the three businesses I remember most. Visiting each was a treat!
When we weren’t doing errands around town, my grandmother kept me busy helping out around the house. During the later part of each summer, she would give me a small paper lunch bag and send me out to the driveway. Each year she planted marigolds along the south side of the driveway. It was my job to carefully pick off the mature flower heads and put them in the paper bag. She would then store them in the garage for the winter. Next year, after my grandfather had prepared the planting area, we would sprinkle the seeds from the previous year’s flowers.
Saving flower seeds is a great way to use what you already have and to develop your gardening skills. With a little time and patience, you can save your own seeds from year to year. Saving seeds from flowers that are annual in our climate is relatively easy. Petunia, marigold, zinnia, and impatiens seeds can all be saved and used the following season. The only caveat to this is that seeds from hybridized flowers will not produce flowers that resemble the original flowers. A hybrid plant is created when crossing two other plants. The plant can only be produced again by repeating the cross again. When purchasing plants, hybrid plants will be labeled as ‘F1 Hybrid’.
Zinnias – When saving the seeds of zinnias, allow the flowers to dry on the plant. When they are dry, cut off the flower, split it open, and remove the seeds.
Impatiens – On the back of each flower is a swollen area that contains the seeds. As the flower matures, the petals will drop off and the seed pod will swell. Pinch off the swollen seed pods and put them in a paper bag. The seed pods should break open with time to release the seeds. If they don’t, close the bag and shake it. Mature impatiens seeds are brown.
Marigolds – Pinch off the dead flowers and allow them to dry. When they are dry, split open to remove the seeds.
Petunias – The seeds on petunias in the seed pod at the bottom of the flower. After the flower falls off, watch for the seed pod to swell. After it swells, pick it off and place it in the paper bag. When it is dry, gently shake the bag to open the seed pod. The seeds will come out and look like tiny dark balls.
Allow the seeds to dry for about one week or until the seed is hard enough that it cannot be smashed. Store your seeds in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place. When sowing in the spring, you may want to start them inside first and then transplant them outside when the chance of frost has passed.
Many other types of seeds can be saved. Perennial flowers, vegetables and herbs are just a few examples. For more information consider checking the Seed Savers Exchange. They are a nonprofit organization that has been helping gardeners save seeds for over 35 years. Their website is www.seedsavers.org and their phone number is 563-382-5990.
Much thanks to a Sun Day reader for this topic suggestion!
• Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
