​

Seed Harvesting & Storage Guide (USDA Zone 6b)

for Most Common Plants

​

General Seed-Storage Rules

(Apply to most plants)

• Make sure seeds are fully dry (brittle or rattling in the pod).

• Remove chaff and debris before storing.

• Store in airtight containers (glass jars, sealed bags).

• Keep cool, dark, and dry (ideal: 35–50°F / 2–10°C).

• Label with species and harvest date.

• Typical viability varies by species (noted where helpful).

• For fleshy fruits (tomato, cucumber, squash), remove gelatinous coating by fermentation or rinsing before drying

 

A–Z SEED HARVESTING GUIDE

(Alphabetized by plant)

​

​

Achillea (Yarrow)

When: Seedheads brown and papery (late summer–autumn).
How: Snip whole seedheads into a paper bag.
Clean & Store: Rub to release tiny seeds; winnow out chaff; dry thoroughly; store airtight. (Viability: ~3–4 yrs)

Amaranth

When: Seed heads fluffy and brown, late summer.
How: Cut seed stalks into a paper bag; shake or rub.
Clean & Store: Sift out plant debris; use fine sieve; dry well; store airtight. (Viability: ~2–4 yrs)

Apple (not true-to-type)

When: From fully ripe fruit.
How: Scoop seeds; rinse clean.
Clean & Store: Air-dry 1 week; most require cold stratification. Store cool/dry. Seedlings vary genetically.

Apricot (and other stone fruits)

When: From fully ripe fruit.
How: Remove pits; clean off flesh; crack carefully to remove kernel.
Clean & Store: Dry several days; many require cold stratification. Store cool and airtight.

Aster

When: Seedheads dry, feathery, seeds dark.
How: Cut heads into bag; crush to free seeds.
Clean & Store: Remove fluff; dry and store airtight. (Viability: ~3 yrs)

​

Basil

When: Seed spikes dry, seeds black.
How: Cut flowering tops into bag.
Clean & Store: Rub out seeds; sift chaff; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 1–5 yrs)

Beans (Pole & Bush)

When: Pods fully dry and hard; seeds rattle.
How: Pull whole pods or stems before wet weather.
Clean & Store: Shell, remove debris, dry further if needed, store airtight. (Viability: ~3–5 yrs)

Bee Balm (Monarda)

When: Seedheads brown and papery.
How: Cut clusters and shake/rub.
Clean & Store: Remove chaff; dry and store airtight. (Viability: ~2–3 yrs)

Beets

When: Flower and seed in second year; umbels brown.
How: Cut seed heads into bag; thresh.
Clean & Store: Winnow chaff; dry thoroughly; store airtight. (Viability: ~3–4 yrs)

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

When: Cones dark brown and dry.
How: Cut heads into paper bag.
Clean & Store: Rub over sieve; dry; store airtight. (Viability: ~2–3 yrs)

Bluebell (Virginia Bluebell)

When: Pods dry and split slightly late summer.
How: Collect before they burst.
Clean & Store: Open pods; remove seeds; dry; store airtight. Often needs cold stratification.

Blueberry

When: From ripe berries.
How: Mash berries; wash pulp away.
Clean & Store: Dry seeds; store airtight. Seedlings vary and grow slowly.

Borage

When: Seed clusters brown and hard.
How: Snip clusters into bag.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store airtight. (Viability: ~4–5 yrs)

Broccoli / Brassicas

When: After bolting; pods brown/dry.
How: Cut whole stalks.
Clean & Store: Thresh; winnow; dry; store cool. (Viability: ~2–5 yrs)

C

Cabbage

See Broccoli/Brassicas.

Calendula

When: Seed pods brown.
How: Snip spent blooms.
Clean & Store: Remove curled seeds; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Carnation (Dianthus)

When: Capsules brown and split.
How: Cut before full split.
Clean & Store: Open capsules; remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Carrot

When: Biennial; second year umbels brown.
How: Cut umbels into sack.
Clean & Store: Rub to thresh; winnow; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Celosia

When: Heads dry; seeds dark.
How: Cut heads; rub.
Clean & Store: Fine sieve; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 2–3 yrs)

Chamomile

When: Flower heads brown.
How: Cut heads before dispersal.
Clean & Store: Rub; sift; dry; store airtight.

Cherry

When: From ripe fruit.
How: Remove pits; crack or stratify whole.
Clean & Store: Dry; requires cold stratification. Seedlings vary.

Chicory

When: Heads brown/dry.
How: Cut into bag.
Clean & Store: Open heads; dry; store airtight.

Cilantro / Coriander

When: Seeds turn brown.
How: Cut umbels.
Clean & Store: Rub; winnow; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Cleome

When: Pods dry/split.
How: Cut before burst.
Clean & Store: Shell; dry; store airtight.

Clematis

When: Seeds with feathery tails turn brown/dry.
How: Cut seedheads.
Clean & Store: Remove fluff; dry/store airtight.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

When: Coneheads brown in fall.
How: Cut cones and rub.
Clean & Store: Sift chaff; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 2–4 yrs)

Cosmos

When: Pods brown and rattle.
How: Pinch/cut pods.
Clean & Store: Remove elongated seeds; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Cucumber

When: Overripe, yellow, mushy fruit.
How: Scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Ferment or rinse; dry thoroughly; store airtight. (Viability: 4–5 yrs)

​

Dahlia

When: Seedheads dry late season.
How: Cut dried heads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store airtight. Note: tubers maintain true type; seeds vary.

Daisy (Shasta)

When: Heads brown/papery.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Remove fluff; dry; store airtight.

Delphinium

When: Pods brown/brittle.
How: Cut before opening.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 2–3 yrs)

Dill

When: Umbels brown/aromatic.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Rub; winnow; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

​

Eggplant

When: Fruit overripe, yellow, soft.
How: Scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse pulp; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–6 yrs)

Elderberry

When: Berries fully ripe/dark.
How: Mash & wash.
Clean & Store: Dry tiny seeds; store airtight. Often propagated by cuttings.

Evening Primrose

When: Pods split when dry.
How: Cut before shattering.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry/store airtight.

​

Fennel

When: Seeds brown & aromatic.
How: Cut umbels.
Clean & Store: Rub; remove chaff; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Foxglove (Digitalis)

When: Capsules brown/splitting.
How: Cut stalks before dispersal.
Clean & Store: Collect fine seeds; dry/store airtight. Toxic plant; stratification often needed.

​

Garlic (Bulbils)

When: Bulbils dry.
How: Break off clusters.
Clean & Store: Dry fully; store cool/dry.

Geranium (Pelargonium)

When: Seed pods dry/split.
How: Cut pods before splitting.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 2–3 yrs)

Gladiolus

When: Pods brown/dry.
How: Cut before splitting.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry; store airtight.

Goldenrod

When: Clusters brown/papery.
How: Cut before wind dispersal.
Clean & Store: Remove fluff; dry; store airtight.

Gomphrena

When: Heads dry.
How: Snip heads.
Clean & Store: Rub free; dry; store airtight.

Gourds / Pumpkins / Squash

When: Fully mature fruit with hard rind.
How: Cut fruit; scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse; dry thoroughly; store airtight. (Viability: 4–6 yrs)

​

Hollyhock

When: Pods brown/open.
How: Cut stalks before dispersal.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Honeysuckle

When: Berries ripe.
How: Remove seeds; rinse pulp.
Clean & Store: Dry slowly; store airtight.

Hosta

When: Pods dry/split.
How: Cut pods before splitting.
Clean & Store: Remove black seeds; dry/store airtight.

Hyssop

When: Flower clusters brown.
How: Cut clusters.
Clean & Store: Rub; sift; dry; store airtight.

​

Iris

When: Pods brown/split.
How: Cut pods.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store airtight.

​

Kale

When: Pods brown/dry.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

​

Lavender

When: Spikes brown/papery.
How: Cut spikes.
Clean & Store: Strip seeds; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 1–3 yrs)

Leek

When: Umbels brown/dry.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Thresh; winnow; dry/store airtight.

Lettuce

When: Seed heads brown after bolting.
How: Cut stalks before dispersal.
Clean & Store: Rub; remove chaff; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 1–2 yrs)

Liatris

When: Heads dry/fluffy.
How: Cut before wind dispersal.
Clean & Store: Remove fluff; dry; store airtight.

Lily

When: Pods brown/split.
How: Cut before dispersal.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store cool/dark.

Lupine

When: Pods brown and pop.
How: Cut before bursting.
Clean & Store: Shell pods; dry/store airtight.

​

Marigold

When: Heads dry, seeds dark.
How: Snip seedheads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Milkweed

When: Pods split and fluff shows.
How: Cut before wind dispersal.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds from floss; dry/store airtight.

Mint

When: Flower clusters brown.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Rub; sift; dry; store airtight.

​

Nasturtium

When: Pods brown/hard.
How: Pinch pods.
Clean & Store: Shell; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–5 yrs)

Nigella

When: Pods brown/rattle.
How: Cut pods.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry; store airtight.

​

Oregano

When: Stems dry; seeds dark.
How: Cut tops.
Clean & Store: Rub; separate chaff; dry/store airtight.

Onion

When: Umbels dry.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Thresh; winnow; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 1–2 yrs)

​

Parsley

When: Umbels brown.
How: Cut umbels before shatter.
Clean & Store: Rub; winnow; dry; store airtight.

Parsnip

When: Second year umbels brown.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 2–3 yrs)

Pansy / Viola

When: Pods brown.
How: Cut before splitting.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry/store airtight.

Pea

When: Pods dry/rattle.
How: Pull pods or vines.
Clean & Store: Shell; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Peach

When: From ripe fruit.
How: Remove pits; clean; crack or stratify.
Clean & Store: Store dry; stratify before sowing.

Pepper

When: Fully ripe fruit.
How: Scrape seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse; dry; store airtight.

Petunia

When: Pods dry/split.
How: Cut before rupture.
Clean & Store: Remove tiny seeds; dry/store airtight.

Phlox

When: Capsules brown.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Poppy

When: Capsules brown with holes.
How: Cut heads; shake.
Clean & Store: Remove debris; dry/store airtight.

Portulaca

When: Pods dry/darken.
How: Cut before splitting.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry/store airtight.

Potato (TPS)

When: Berries ripe/soft.
How: Mash berries; rinse.
Clean & Store: Dry seeds; store airtight.

Pumpkin

See Gourds/Squash.

​

Radish

When: Pods brown/dry.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Raspberry

When: From ripe fruit.
How: Mash; rinse seeds.
Clean & Store: Dry; store airtight. Propagation usually by canes.

Rhubarb

When: Pods dry.
How: Cut seedheads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Rose

When: Hips ripe/softening.
How: Split hips; extract seeds.
Clean & Store: Wash; dry; many need stratification.

​

Sage

When: Spikes brown.
How: Cut spikes.
Clean & Store: Rub; dry/store airtight.

Salvia

When: Capsules brown/dry.
How: Cut stems.
Clean & Store: Open capsules; dry/store airtight.

Scabiosa

When: Heads papery/dry.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Sedum

When: Capsules dry/split.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

Snapdragon

When: Pods brown/dry.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Remove tiny seeds; dry/store airtight.

Spinach

When: Second-year umbels brown.
How: Cut umbels.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 1–2 yrs)

Squash

When: Fully mature fruit.
How: Scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse or ferment; dry; store airtight.

Strawberry

When: Seeds on ripe fruit.
How: Separate achenes; dry.
Clean & Store: Dry thoroughly; store airtight.

Sunflower

When: Back of head brown; seeds plump.
How: Cut head; hang to dry.
Clean & Store: Rub; remove chaff; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 2–3 yrs)

Sweet Corn

When: Kernels hard/dry on stalk.
How: Harvest ears; finish drying.
Clean & Store: Shell; dry; store airtight.

Sweet Pea

When: Pods dry/rattle.
How: Cut stems.
Clean & Store: Shell; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 3–5 yrs)

​

Thyme

When: Heads brown.
How: Cut tops.
Clean & Store: Rub; remove chaff; dry/store airtight.

Tomato

When: Fully ripe/overripe fruit.
How: Scoop seeds/pulp.
Clean & Store: Ferment 2–4 days; rinse; dry; store airtight. (Viability: 4–6 yrs)

Tulip

When: Pods dry.
How: Cut before shattering.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry; store cool/dark.

​

Verbena

When: Capsules dry.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Open pods; dry/store airtight.

Viola

See Pansy.

Vinca

When: Capsules dry/split.
How: Cut before splitting.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

​

Wallflower

When: Pods dry/brown.
How: Cut stalks.
Clean & Store: Thresh; dry/store airtight.

Watermelon

When: Fully ripe fruit.
How: Scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse; dry fully; store airtight. (Viability: 4–6 yrs)

Wheat / Small Grains

When: Heads dry/hard.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Thresh; winnow; dry; store airtight.

​

Yucca

When: Pods dry/rattle.
How: Cut pods.
Clean & Store: Remove seeds; dry/store airtight.

​

Zinnia

When: Heads brown/dry.
How: Cut heads.
Clean & Store: Rub; remove debris; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 3–4 yrs)

Zucchini

When: Overripe, hard rind.
How: Scoop seeds.
Clean & Store: Rinse or ferment; dry/store airtight. (Viability: 4–6 yrs)

​

Notes & Special Cases

• Fermentation recommended for tomatoes, cucumbers, melons to remove gelatinous coatings and reduce disease.

• Pods that shatter: collect early into paper bags; avoid plastic during drying (mold risk).

• Biennials & natives often require cold stratification.

• Bulb flowers (tulip, daffodil, gladiolus, dahlia) are usually propagated vegetatively; seeds take longer and may not be true-to-type.

• Cross-pollination risk high for corn, squash, brassicas, beans.

• Drying target: Seeds should be fully hard and dry; spread in warm, dry, shaded location.

​