Saving Seeds: Snapdragons

I've read a few articles about how saving seeds will save the world. I am mostly buying it. Heirloom varieties will die out if people don't take the time to save the seeds to these plants, plant them and pass them. You can also choose which plants you will save the seeds from IE We are only saving seeds from our tallest poppies. Lastly, its free seeds for next season. What's not to love? I also enjoy sharing seeds with friends and seed exchanges are a good reason for a garden get together.

So are you on board for saving seeds?

Yes?

Great. Now the tricky part. Every plant seeds a little bit differently. Some are simple- like snapdragons and poppies. Fruits and veggies are trickier. You don't want to save the seeds of hybrids at all. So with the hopes of making it easier- I'm going to document here how we save different seeds.

Starting with snaps:

The stem will form pods. They start off green, then slowing turn light brown and small holes open up, then they dry out and turn dark brown. All you have to do is keep an eye out for when the holes first open in the top and start to turn brown. Then you turn the pod upside down and the little seeds fall out. If you wait until they are dark brown most of the seeds will have fallen out on their own- which is fine also- you hopefully will get more growing next season with minimal work. But if you are saving seeds with the intent of sharing or planting in a new spot next year- you are going to want to move sooner. We keep our seeds in these tiny plastic baggies or in junk mail envelopes. Then voila! Free seed pack of snap dragons for next year.

Most of the seeds had already fallen out at this point but you can see the holes and the green ones at the top were still filled with seeds. The seeds! Bird plate from Anthropologie. (www.anthropologie.com)
Dated and ready to save.