Blog - Harvest your own seeds

Harvest your own seeds

06/09/2025

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One of my favourite zen activities is harvesting seeds in summer. I do this in the vegetable garden, our flower meadow, aromatic herb garden, in nearby road verges and - with permission - even in the front garden of a neighbour or friend. Collecting wildflower seeds is a simple and inexpensive way to increase plant diversity in your garden. The great thing is that you work with local and reliable seeds. This way, you are not dependent on commercial (and often less ecological) seed mixtures whose origin is not always clear.

Creating a garden can be quite expensive, especially if you buy a lot of plants at once. This is why we sometimes advise clients to work zone by zone. It also pays to observe your garden the first year: where does the sun shine the longest, how do you use each zone? That way, you avoid making hasty decisions. Personally, I find the process and evolution of a garden one of the most beautiful aspects: you grow with your garden, so to speak. And... this way you also spread the costs.

Harvesting seeds is not only budget-friendly, it also helps you get to know wild plants better. You discover which species grow well in your garden and gain insight into their life cycle. Annuals and biennials often disappear by themselves, as perennials eventually take over. Annuals such as poppy, cornflower, corncockle and camomile can only survive if they can sow themselves under favourable conditions, or if you disturb the soil every year or sow them each year again. Biennials such as foxglove, common mullein, dames violet, hollyhock and big teasel sometimes seem to disappear suddenly. This is because they only flower in the second year and then die off. In the first year, they only form a leaf rosette, which unfortunately is sometimes overlooked by the diligent gardener and shooed away as 'weeds'.

Seeds are ripe when the flower is completely spent, woody and withered, and the seeds are dry and dark in colour. Fruits and seeds vary greatly from one species to another: think of poppy pods with round openings, black-coloured sunflower seeds, dry bean pods, the membranous fruits of judas pennywort or the fluff of dandelions. If you harvest too early, the seed is often still green and not yet germinating, if you harvest too late, the seed has often already fallen. Observe the plant regularly and check the seeds - you quickly learn when the right time is. Harvest only some of the seeds per plant, so that they also naturally spread on site. Preferably collect seeds from several plants of the same species to increase genetic variation.

Most seeds are ripe in early to late summer, depending on the flowering period. Collect on a dry, warm day to avoid mould growth. You can cut whole fruits or shake the seeds straight off the plant. For small seeds, an (white) umbrella works upside down conveniently as a collection surface. Let your seeds post-dry on kitchen paper in a dry, well-ventilated place - away from direct sunlight. A simple sieve with different mesh sizes helps separate seed and fruit residues. Once thoroughly dry, store the seeds in paper envelopes, in a cool, dry and dark place. Remember to label with the date, locality and plant name. Keep in mind that seeds have a limited shelf life: usually the first year of storage is best in terms of germination rate.

You can also sow seeds immediately. The best period is autumn (late September - early November), but spring (March - May) is also possible. Many seeds germinate only after a cold period - this stimulates their germination. Sow on an open, weed-free soil (without grass) and choose a spot in sun or shade, depending on the needs of that particular plant species. Cover the seeds lightly or press them gently for good contact with the soil. Preferably sow just before a rain, or water afterwards. Be realistic: not all seeds will sprout. It depends on local conditions, competition from grasses, weather conditions, etc. In drought conditions, seeds may dry out, in persistent wetness they may go mouldy. If you want more certainty, pre-sow in pots and plant out later.

Start collecting your living seed archive today! That way you will enjoy wild beauty in your garden again next spring and summer - and hopefully for years to come.