An introduction on How to Harvest Nasturtium Seeds:
Gardeners love nasturtiums for their vibrant colors, excellent salad greens, and easy maintenance.
These tough little green thumbs produce easy-to-gather and store seeds, making them a gem for anyone who wants to enjoy blooming season after season without having to buy new seeds.
We will cover gathering, drying, and storing nasturtium seeds for your next planting expedition in this guide.
When Should You Pick Nasturtium Seeds?
To collect nasturtium seeds, strike while the iron is hot! My friend, timing matters.
Catch those ripe, ready-to-sprout seeds that are itching to sprout and fly like a bat out of hell. Discover when the following things happen.
Watch for Fallen Blooms:
When nasturtium blossoms dry out, they’ll fall off the plant like hotcakes. This proves spring seeds are blossoming like flowers.
Check seed colour and firmness:
Nasturtium seeds young ones are green like grass, soft like marshmallows, and dripping with moisture like a sponge in a thunderstorm.
Older ones expand out like balloons, turn pale brown, and wrinkle like wise old sages.
They’re ready to pick when they feel solid as a rock but can be picked like a low-hanging fruit.
Monitor Plant Health:
Nasturtium plants slow blooming and switch to seed production in late summer and early fall.
The seeds should be ripe and ready to roll, but don’t let them dry out or you’ll be barking up the wrong tree.
If seeds are falling like hotcakes or hitting the ground like a ton of bricks, they’re ready to harvest.
How Do I Save Nasturtium Seeds for Next Year?
Store nasturtium seeds for next year easily to keep your pocketbook full and help your garden be more sustainable. Check out these tips to keep your seeds healthy and ready to sprout:
Gather Heartily:
When the seeds are old, gently pull them from the plant or pick up fallen ones. Do not let them pass through your fingers like water! Pick crops on a dry day to avoid wetness.
Check Those Seeds:
Look over your seeds after gathering them. Throw away any leftover plant parts and soft, broken, or discoloured seeds—they’re like submarine screen doors.
Dry Thoroughly:
Spread those seeds like butter on toast on a paper towel or cloth in a single layer and let them air dry for a week or two—patience is a virtue.
How to store Nasturtium Seeds?
Long-term storage requires drying out those seeds like a cat’s whiskers. If they stay damp, they’ll mould or perish faster.
Seal the Deal in an Airtight Container:
Put the dry seeds in a labelled envelope or airtight jar. Like a squirrel with its acorns, protect them.
Keep it in a cold, dark drawer or cabinet to hide like a cat in the sun. If you store nasturtium seeds like a squirrel stores acorns, they can last two years.
Following these methods will allow you to store your nasturtium seeds for next spring like a squirrel saving acorns.
How to Harvest Nasturtium Seeds?
Nasturtium seeds are easy to collect, but a little caution can help you succeed! How to start:
Assess Seed Maturity:
Look for seeds that have turned green to a light brown or tan and have a few wrinkles like they’ve been through a lot!
Gather the Seeds with Kid Gloves:
Gently remove the ripe seeds from the plant, like selecting cherries without harming the orchard. If they won’t budge, they may need more time to organize.
Pick Up Dropped Seeds:
Ripe seeds regularly fall to the ground, begging to be picked up! Keep an eye out around your plants’ bases and pick up any falling seeds before they become extinct or get into the wrong hands.
Use kid gloves:
You can use kid gloves to collect seeds in a small container or envelope, avoiding bags or boxes that could retain moisture.
Better safe than sorry? By following these instructions, you’ll be as confident as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs that you’re getting the best seeds for storage.
How to Dry and Store Nasturtium Seeds?
Like organizing your ducks, drying and storing nasturtium seeds is crucial. Be careful not to disrupt preservation.
If you don’t let those seeds dry out, they may mould and create a submarine screen door. This article explains how to dry and store seeds so they stay fresh and ready to sprout.
1. Spread seeds on toast like butter:
Lay those nuggets out in a single layer on a paper towel, napkin, or cloth like a star’s red carpet. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from the sun.
2. Give Them Time to Dry:
Seeds need one to two weeks to dry out, depending on Mother Nature’s humidity. Check them occasionally—they should feel strong as nails and dryer than a popcorn fart when ready.
3. Store Properly:
Store fully dried seeds in a tiny glass jar or sealed plastic bag to keep them snug as a bug in a rug! Label it with the plant’s name and the date you caught it to avoid confusion.
4. Preserve it:
Put your container in a cool, dark cellar, closet, or cabinet where the temperature maintains stable.
Nasturtium seeds can last two years if stored properly, giving your garden the endurance of a tortoise in a marathon.
What Do Ripe Nasturtium Seeds Look Like?
Finding ripe nasturtium seeds is easy if you get used to it.
Size:
Ripe seeds are about the size of a pea, making them simple to see on the plant or ground.
Ripe seeds are full of colors, from bright green to brown, like a painter’s palette. It’s said that light brown seeds have seen the writing on the wall and are ready to shine. They’re top-notch.
Texture:
Like a wise old sage, they’ll have a wrinkled surface and stand firm when poked. Avoid those soft, green seeds or you’ll be storing them wrong. After finding those ripe seeds, get to work collecting them to ensure you get the best for next year.
Collecting Nasturtium Seeds: Tips for Success
Gathering nasturtium seeds is easy with a little help:
1. Harvest on a Sunny Day:
Don’t collect seeds while the plants or ground are as wet as a fish out of water.
Moisture can invite mould and make those seeds less likely to succeed.
2. Stay Alert:
Mature seeds conceal and drop like hot potatoes. Therefore, occasionally poke around under your plants to catch any stealthy seeds that have landed.
3. Grab a Tiny Tupperware:
Put those seeds in a jar or paper envelope to prevent them from escaping or getting squashed like bugs on windshields. By following these tips, you’ll be swimming in seeds and ready for next season’s garden spectacular.
When to Harvest Nasturtium Seeds?
To maximize germination, you must know when to harvest nasturtium seeds.
Growing Season Ends:
When the flowers take a break, usually late summer or early fall, depending on Mother Nature, it’s time to gather the seeds. If winter’s frigid fingers are knocking at your door, harvest those seeds before they acquire a chill. The cold can turn them into a sad narrative.
Keep an eye out weekly:
Visit your plants weekly to pick up any fresh seeds that have ripened while you’re seeding.
Harvesting seeds requires precision timing. Gather them at the correct time to get the best.
How to Collect and Store Nasturtium Seeds for Future Gardens?
With a little knowledge, harvesting and storing nasturtium seeds is easy and may spice up your gardening. Here are the key steps to remember:
Gather Ripe Seeds:
Pick up ready-to-roll seeds from the plant or the ground like a kid in a candy store.
Dry Thoroughly:
Let those seeds spread out like a sleepy cat in the sun for a week or two to make them tough and moisture-free.
Cover It:
Store seeds in a jar, plastic bag, or paper envelope to keep them dry. Label that container with the plant’s name and date to avoid problems.
Store in a Dark Nook:
Find a cold, dark, and dry place to keep those seeds healthy for two years. This easy approach to gather and store nasturtium seeds ensures you always have a fresh supply to plant in your yard.
How to Harvest Nasturtium Seeds: FAQs
1. When is the golden hour for collection of nasturtium seed ?
When summer is ending or fall is approaching, when the flowers have given up and the seeds are sunbathing, turning light brown, and feeling solid as a rock.
2. What do ripe nasturtium seeds look like?
A pea-sized, light brown seed is wrinkled like an old man’s face and solid as a rock when squeezed.
3. Can I pick up fallen seeds?
Mature seeds drop like hotcakes on their own, much like eggs. You can grab them like candy from the plant’s dirt.
4. How should nasturtium seeds be dried?
Lay those seeds out like a deck of cards on a paper towel or cloth to dry for a week or two. Remember, patience is a virtue.
5. How can nasturtium seeds be protected?
Store dried seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place—out of sight, out of mind, and safe as homes! Seeds can survive for two years if you protect them.
6. Can I plant nasturtium seeds next year?
We seem to have encountered a snag, no? Similar to a cat catching its tail. We need to start this show, it’s obvious. So bet your boots. You can sow dried nasturtium seeds next season without a problem.
7. Do nasturtium seeds need special preparation before planting?
Soaking nasturtium seeds in water for a few hours before planting will speed up sprouting, but going without it is fine.
Final Tips: How to harvest nasturtium seeds?
Finding nasturtium seeds is like winning the lottery without breaking the wallet, allowing you to keep those beautiful blossoms coming again. Nasturtiums spice up your garden and wear many hats, but preserving their seeds will keep you gardening smoothly.
Following this technique will leave you swimming in nasturtium seeds ready to grow next season, ensuring a bright garden for years to come. Do not forget to check out our other articles in the category of vegetable gardening:
- Rosemary Companion Plants
- How to Propagate Rosemary
- Growing Broccoli in Containers
- Companion Plants for Cauliflower
- Companion Plants for Cauliflower
- Best Eggplant Companion Plants
- Best Eggplant Companion Plants
- Best and Worst Companion Plants for Asparagus
- Growing Pumpkins in Containers
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- Growing Corn in Containers
James Porter
Welcome to our haven of gardening and plant care, where outdoor and indoor planting enthusiasts come together! At Gardening Wisdom Hub, we aim to provide you with the most authentic information on anything related to gardening, plant care, seasonal planting etc.
The author of our website is James Porter, an experienced industry veteran. He has a deep interest in everything green. James’s enthusiasm for exploring plants’ features and learning new gardening methods began at a young age. Gradually, his passion increased with time, leading him to become a highly esteemed professional. His extensive knowledge makes him a priceless resource for inexperienced and seasoned gardeners.