All images © Vikki Rimmer

Seeds can be collected and saved from trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines, vegetables and herbs. Our herbaceous areas at the castle provide plenty of opportunity for us to collect seed. This year we had marvellous displays of echinacea in Faith’ s Garden and magnificent stipa grasses- both of which are ripe for seed collecting now.

Seed Collecting Tips:

When collecting seeds it’ s important not to jump the gun- immature seeds won’ t germinate for you. You also need to look to the heavens and collect on a dry day.

If it’ s a dry day and the plants are ready, then choose a healthy and vigorous plant to collect from. Look for seed pods which have changed colour from green to brown, then cut or pick the seed heads and lay them out to dry somewhere warm. If the pods aren’ t fully open, wait until they have dried, then gently crush the pods to release the seeds.

Some seed heads explode like firecrackers, so they need to be checked every day. You could place the seed heads in a brown

paper bag and wait for them to explode or shake them.

Once the seed is free, make sure you clean off the chaff to prevent the seeds from rotting.

Most seed can be kept( hellebores are an exception and prefer to be sowed immediately). Dig out your stash of old envelopes to store them in and make sure you label them correctly- it’ s often hard to work out which seed is which a few months down the line!

I do know of gardeners who keep their seed in a Tupperware or airtight container with silica gel to absorb excess moisture. It’ s also good to store seeds at 5 º C as they can remain viable for long periods if refrigerated.

Collecting your own seed is rewarding, not just because it provides you with free plants for the coming year, it’ s also a really good old fashioned way of interacting with nature.

Plants to Collect Seed From Now:

If your Cosmos have avoided the damp then these are great little seed providers. Zinnias are great too and their seeds usually last for a year or two.

Divide Your Plants!

Another great way of maximising your plants for the next season is to divide your

perennials now. If you have any Lily of the Valley, delphiniums, geraniums, hostas, salvias, verbena or eryngium, these plants are fantastic dividers!

Just take your garden fork and place it gently under the plant and lift. You’ ll notice that they may have buds at ground level.

Shake off any soil so that you can clearly see the roots of your plant then you can either gently pull the plant apart with your fork or with your hands. In some cases you may need to use a garden knife on the roots.

Once you have divided the plant, you can plant them back in the same situation or, utilising a planting plan, create a repeat pattern further down your border.

Remember to water well when you replant your divided specimens.

Hever Castle & Gardens is currently open seven days a week.

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