Saving seeds for next year

Ruth saves money by harvesting homegrown seeds

- Ruth Hayes

ALL over the garden, early-flowering annuals and biennials are setting their seeds before dying back.

If you are happy for them to broadcast their seeds, then leave them as they are, but I like to have some autonomy when it comes to propagating from homegrown seed so this week I have been out collecting my favourites.

The main culprits are the foxgloves, which are glorious but promiscuous when it comes to spreading their offspring all over the garden.

We currently have a lot in the raised beds where we grow veggies, so they are gradually being relocated or potted up and given to friends and neighbours.

I have also been collecting allium seeds, and am waiting for our larkspur seed pods to ripen so I can harvest those as well.

Seeds are usually ripe for collecting around two months after flowering. Don't harvest them while they are still green as they won't germinate. You can usually tell when they are ready as the pods change colour, from green to brown or black to red.

Collect them before the pods open (you may need to check them every day) and only take seeds from healthy, vigorous plants.