A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum The Seed and Cuttings Exchange Newbie Question

I would like to start collecting and swapping seeds, but I haven't the faintest idea how to begin. What is the proper way to harvest and store seeds?

Here is a link to collected wild flower seeds.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/wildseeds.html
I do not know if your are talking flower, or vegetables or whatever kinds of seeds. All need a drying time before any kind of storage because if they are damp they will mold or even sprout before you are ready to plant.
seeds for me ( I do mostly flowers) have been a matter of trial and error over the years. Someone gave me a brown paper bag of dried flower heads of zinnias once. I crumbled and sprinkled the whole heads over my prepared bed. I had millions of zinnias. When I actually bought a packet and studied the seeds, I saw that they are arrowhead shaped and was able to just harvest seeds after that. Things like marigolds are easy. When the flowers are dry just grasp the petals and pull. The little black and white stick-looking things at the base are the seeds. It all varies from plant to plant.

My favorite seed storage in our dry climate is in envelopes. Sometimes I have had to use large envelopes. But they are easy to label and date and they don't aid mold growth like plastic bags can.

I'm new to seeds myself, Ldblond. but a GENERAL rule is let the flower head die on the plant and when it is about ready to fall off grab the seeds. I use envelopes too. I have so many seeds now I split mine into two groups, fall and spring. a helpful note that I have started doing - - - when I read or learn something specific about a certain type of plant that I have seeds for, I pull that seed pack (envelope)and make notes. another great thing about envelopes is all that space you have to write on!
best of luck. when in doubt, try to duplicate nature as much as possible.

I store my seeds in envelopes.It's really easy but I forgot to write the names of the plants from which I collected the seeds.Guess I'll have to put the envelopes up to a light so I can see the seeds and determine what kind they are.

Thank you for all the information. I'll try it on the 2 plants that should be producing seeds relatively soon. I'm growing geraniums right now and I know my Mexican Bird of Paradise produces seeds about this time of year.

live and learn ....and jump in with both feet!
but if something works particularily well, let us know about it!