Louise's Utopia: Those Flower Seeds Can Be Sown In Fall, And Why They Ought To Be!

Harvesting Black-Eyed Susan Seeds Coteau Valley Farm

Many folks may believe that having a garden is a spring or summer hobby. They may think that when fall comes around, gardeners kick up their toes and relax on the sofa with some bonbons. But that is far from reality! I know that the fall season is not a time to rest indoors while the garden freezes outdoors. The only relaxing I do in the fall is to admire, admire, admire!

Fall is the time to harvest all those lovely seeds that everyone has been adoring all summer! It's time to replant your native perennial flowers. And once this task is undertaken, gardeners find that the flower bounty is a goldmine. And the money saved is even better. Many native perennial flowers from zones across the states can be sown at this time. However, I am writing this blog about cold-hardy plants. I live in Siberia.

One of my favorite flowers to harvest and replant is the Black-Eyed Susan. All that is needed to harvest these seeds is to wait for the center of your fading flowers to turn dry and bristly. This happens at the end of the season, of course. Be sure to ensure all the petals have fallen off the flower. (There is always a straggler.) Next, cut off the heads and store them in a box, in a cool, dry place for about one week. After this time has passed, push the seeds from the head of the dried flower onto a piece of paper. Then place them in an envelope. Quickly take them outside. Pre-water the ground a bit. Then plant your little Susans at a depth of about one-fourth inch in rich garden soil. It's done! Your planting is over! Now it is time to kick up your heels, eat bonbons, and wait for those sprouts to appear in the spring. No worries either, because the ground will stratify these seeds in about ninety days. This saves a lot of work in the spring. This is good news, too, as your hands will be busy then with planting. Just imagine all the new, free sprouts that will grow in those barren patches in your garden. Seed harvesting and replanting equals amazing. It is a very addictive undertaking. Once started, seeds will yell! Hey, replant me!

A bonus of planting your seeds directly in the ground is that the seeds will require no refrigeration. Any stratification needed will occur naturally throughout the cold winter months. What a relief. Note: Do not try this with all plants; some seeds should be stored indoors. For example, do not sow petunias or zinnia in the fall! Warning: If attempted, they will freeze and die.

Seed harvesting and planting in the fall is very popular. It should be done! If your garden hasn't been doing this, it ought to be now! Go! It is not too late to get those seeds from your most adored plants. Give it a try! Wander through your gardens' ever-changing landscape. Look for empty areas of real estate. This is where you can replant new seeds. There is always room for more flowers in the garden. The more the merrier!