Saving Seeds the Easy Way

To save seeds from many flowering forbs:

1: Wait until the flowering heads are starting to look old, but not yet brown.
2: Tie a small paper bag around the flower or flower head with a piece of string or twine. Do not tie it super tight. Tie the twine past the flower head at the stalk.
3: Leave some flowers unbagged.
4: When the flowers that are not bagged become dry, brown, and brittle, cut the stalks of the flowers in bags. It is not necessary to open the bags, just keep them with the stem sticking out of the bag.
5: Store in a cool, dry place.



To test a milkweed pod that has not been bagged, lightly squeeze the pod. If it opens under the pressure of your fingertips, it can be harvested. Or actually, don't touch them at all. The milky sap of milkweeds is poisonous! Wash it off! Don't touch your eyes if you get it on your hands!

Redbuds:

Redbud trees leave seed pods on the tree that remain on the tree even after the leaves have turned brown and fallen off. Simply strip the pods from the trees on a dry day.

Hollies:

Bright red holly berries can be harvested in the late fall, early winter.