Penstemon secundiflorus
To every thing there is season – like sowing and reaping. However, right now we can still be sowing seeds for fall crops (see below) at the same time we are reaping fruits and vegetables, and seeds. In nature and in our gardens at the nursery and at home, we have begun collecting seeds from wildflowers such as Sidebells Penstemon, Blue Flax and Blanket Flower. And in my vegetable garden, the tomatoes were planted late, so it will be a while before I can begin saving seeds from unique and special varieties like “Anasazi”. But our lettuce is beginning to bolt, arugula has ripened seed, along with radishes, Welsh onions, rapini, miner’s lettuce, and these are all easy to collect and save. Collect seeds only from healthy, robust plants that exhibit the qualities you most value – early maturing, heat-tolerance, bolt-resistance, resilience, size, best flavor, texture, etc.
Lettuce is self-pollinating, and goes very quickly from flower to seed. Lettuce seeds are either white or black, depending on the variety, and should be collected before the wind carries them away. They don’t require any processing; just set them to dry in a bowl for a day or two, then label a paper envelope with the variety name and year, seal and store in a cool, dry place. They should remain viable for up to 3 years.
Arugula seed pods can easily be collected when they have dried to a pale straw color. The dark brown or black seeds can remain viable for four years or longer when stored cool and dry. Similarly, seeds of Tatsoi, Pak Choi, Radish, Rapini (Broccoli Raab) and other early greens in the mustard family are easy to collect and store. They are bee-pollinated, and there may be some cross-pollinating between mustard-family varieties that are blooming concurrently in close proximity.
Perennial Onions, like Chives, Welsh onions and Altai onions are bee-pollinated, and may have ripe seed by now. Wait until the seeds turn black before harvesting the seed heads. Snip each seedhead off carefully while keeping your other hand wrapped around the seedhead to prevent seeds falling out. Onion seeds retain their viability for one year, sometimes longer.
Bush beans, peas and lots of annual flowers will begin ripening some seeds in a little while. Beans and peas are self-pollinating and should come ‘true’ from seed.
Tomato seeds are easy to ferment and save. If you don’t already know how, we have copies of Bill McDorman’s Seed Saving handbook, an excellent, inexpensive guide that focuses primarily on the vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers that are easiest for the home-gardener to successfully save.