Photo: Milkweed seeds, Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Laura Beaty and Donna Murphy
Fall is coming and gardeners’ thoughts may turn to collecting seeds for planting next spring. It’s best to remember that seed collecting begins with a knowledge and understanding of protocols and ethics of collecting seed outside of your own garden. Most people are aware they need the owner’s permission before gathering seeds from friends’ and neighbors’ gardens. It’s doubly important to get permission from land managing agencies before gathering any seeds from parks, forests and wilderness areas—even utility rights-of-way. You don’t want to impair the agencies’ conservation efforts.
A prominent native plant grower in our area, Earth Sangha, recommends that hobbyists not gather seeds from wild populations at risk of over-collection, as it also reduces food sources for wildlife. In addition to obtaining permission from the relevant land management agencies, it’s a good idea to seek guidance from local conservation organizations, like NVBA’s Wildlife Sanctuary Program, the Virginia Native Plant Society and local Master Naturalists if you are collecting outside your own garden and those of friends and neighbors.
Milkweed seeds. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seed collecting begins after flowering is completed and ideally late in the bloom season, giving the plant an opportunity to complete seed maturation. When collecting, use clearly marked bags with the plant’s name, date and location (site). You can custom-design envelopes to provide the information you’ll want to have on the seeds you collect for future use. Too often we have all assumed we’d remember what seed we’ve collected--Wrong! Keep good records. Brown bags (not plastic) help the seeds to dry out slowly. It’s fine to delay cleaning the seeds (separating seeds from dried flowers) for a rainy day when you have indoor time.
Always look for fully ripened seeds, which ensures a mature embryo. Keep in mind that when seeds turn from green or yellow to tan, brown or black, and mature fruits turn red, orange or blue, they are ready to collect. When the fruits are ready the game is on for who will get to them first. Don’t wait! Many of us have missed collecting them on time and lost out to the birds and other wildlife. When pulp, a germination inhibitor, is cleaned from fruit seeds, the seed is ready to grow when time and temperature are right. Timing is important:
A seed is a living organism, dependent on its stored energy reserves for survival until it begins to photosynthesize for itself. Once the seed is removed from the parent, it begins a race against death. It either germinates successfully and begins to photosynthesize on its own, or fails to germinate before it uses up its stored reserves and therefore dies. The more energy reserves the seed has and the slower it uses them, the better are the chances it will germinate and grow.
Native Plant Trust, ______.
Nature has provided a longer “viability” period to some seeds, but following regular protocols of processing is best practice. Most seeds require a cold period to ensure a viable embryo. Therefore, over-wintering the collected seeds in a safe/secure un-heated outdoor room, shed, or garage will prepare them for spring germination.
You can prepare seed trays ahead of planting time in mid-March. Just cut coco-rolls to fit into the bottom of the trays for good drainage. There are a number of prepared seed-planting mixtures, or you can develop your own. Planting directly into the ground is iffy: Many birds will be watching, not to mention the squirrels. As the seedlings grow you can transfer them to individual small pots for better root development; in time, larger pots will accommodate their expanding roots—that’s a success!
Catch up on past Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac articles here.