Collecting Native Seeds

Seed collecting is a fun way to become engaged in the process of growing native plants. Collecting native seeds from your area enables you to ensure that your native plants are a good match to your site conditions.  As a general rule for seed collecting,
seeds usually ripen one month after flowering and remain on the plant for a period of one week to one month.

Some signs that indicate seeds are ripe and ready for harvest are:

  • Seeds are plump, hard and usually brown or black.Unripe seeds are usually soft and green.

  • Seeds fall easily or shatter from the plant while some may have already dropped.

  • Stems turn brown and dry.

  • Seed capsules or heads start to open.

  • Seed pods turn brown.

After the ripe seeds are harvested, it is necessary to either plant them or store them. Which action you take will depend on both your plans and the requirements for the species.
Confused about what's next? click for information on propagating your native seeds.

site map   northland home > soei home > institute programs > native plants > using native plants > collecting > collecting native seeds Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue - Ashland, Wisconsin 54806-3999
(715) 682-1699