Calhoun County, AL – As the chill of late fall approaches and the first frost looms, dedicated gardeners begin their annual ritual of seed saving. For many, it’s not just about next year’s blooms—it’s about preserving living family heirlooms that have graced gardens for generations.
“I save seeds every late fall of the year. I harvest seeds before the first frost,” explains one gardener who tends to a thriving collection of three-generational plants. Among her prized blooms are Orange Tickseed, known for its towering six-foot stems, and Shasta Daisies, which she has grown from a single $1.99 packet sown back in 2018. The daisies’ perennial root systems return faithfully each spring, ensuring a vibrant display year after year.
Her approach is as methodical as it is heartfelt. “Most of your perennial heavy-blooming seeds do not want their leaves watered. I ground water only,” she says. This technique helps reduce mold and mildew—common foes of lush southern gardens. Only certain shade lovers, like Canna Lilies, Ferns, Hostas, Coleus, and Caladiums, receive a gentle shower from above.
Seed-specific care is essential, too. For example, Coxcomb (Celosia) requires light to germinate. “I rough up the soil with a rake, mist water, scatter the seeds, and keep the area moist for up to ten days,” she advises. Planting depth also matters—bury seeds too deeply, and germination may fail.
This gardener’s fall seed-saving list reads like a love letter to Alabama blooms: Blanketflower, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Beebalm, and Tickseed. Each plant brings its own story of color and resilience. “I sow Scarlet Flame Zinnias because I like the sweeping red, dynamic islands of color,” she adds, noting how Mammoth and Torch Sunflowers offer both beauty and bird safety by lifting wildlife high above prowling cats.
As she reminds, now is the time to watch the weather closely—the countdown to the first frost has begun. Those who collect and store their seeds this week will carry a bit of autumn’s warmth into spring’s promise.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
