Clever Seed Saving Tip for Best Results

Not all seeds are the same but with this tip you can mark and save the very best seeds in your flower garden for sowing next year.

For a complete propagation guide also see Seed Starting for Beginners.

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Choosing the Best Seeds for Seed Saving

Seed saving isn’t just a matter of gathering the seeds at the right time (when they are dry and mature), but choosing from your very best flowers for the finest future plants.

Ever notice how the quality of blossoms can vary within the very same plant?

Sometimes a few flowers will be healthier, bigger, stronger, and better formed than others. Not always, but once you start looking for it, it’s fairly common.

Just because they’re on the same plant doesn’t mean their genetics are identical.

When it comes to flowers, it’s much like birds: research confirms the most beautiful of the bunch tend to be the healthiest and best possible parents.

That’s where this tip comes in handy.

By saving seeds from the finest specimens, you will have the best possible flowers next time.

This has a helpful overview for getting started with seed saving.

1Mark Your Best Flowers

Use small pieces of ribbon, twine, or tulle bags to mark your best flowers while they are blooming.

Do this throughout the growing season for any possible seeds you will want to save.

I use tulle or organza bags (often sold for wedding favors) because they help with the next step (below).

You can see tulle bags here at dollartree.com (US shipping) sold under the name Baby Shower Organza Drawstring Bags. They are also available at dollar stores.

Tulle bags (in various sizes) are also good for covering fruit and vegetables that critters tend to peck at or eat.

Related: The Right Way to Store Seeds in Your Home

2Hang Tulle Bags Over Your Best Flowers

When flowers have peaked, the seed pods or heads start to form. This is the time to place the tulle bag over the flower head and secure it around the stem.

The bag allows good air flow, keeps animals from taking the seeds, and catches any seeds that fall from the plant.

For more tips like this see 10 Surprisingly Good Dollar Store Finds for Gardeners.

Mark the Best Flowers While You Can

These poppies came from seeds in a neighbor’s garden.

I had my eye on one particularly massive bloom and placed a ribbon on the stem (with his permission).

Months later on a dry, cool fall day, the flower was long gone but the seed pod was filled with seeds.

Planted next spring, they were just as beautiful as expected.

Related: 10 Irresistible Reasons To Grow Poppies

Without something marking them, by the time plants have gone to seed, it would be nearly impossible to recall which blossoms were the total show stoppers because the evidence is long gone.

And there you go. Stock up on tulle bags and have them ready to use during blooming season.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛