Sow What? Harvesting Snapdragon Seeds Made Simple

It’s early September in Northern Illinois (Zone 5b) and it’s time for me to start harvesting snapdragon seeds. 

A Snapdragon seed is really tiny so it can be a little bit tedious as far as seed collecting goes but there is satisfaction in knowing that the seeds I sow in early spring are FREE and I collected them myself. 

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Collecting the Seeds from my Gardens

Right now the snapdragon plants are fading in my garden. When the plants start browning up then I know it’s time to start collecting my seeds. The pods are on the stalk below where the flowers had been blooming. 

The green seed pods are not ready for harvest but the brown ones are filled with little tiny seeds. You can easily twist off the brown pods from the snapdragon stems. 

Using a white paper plate I crush the pods between my two fingers and the tiny seeds fall out of the pods onto the plate. You will have to use tweezers to separate the tiny seeds from the other pod matter. 

How to Store Your Seeds

I use small envelopes to store my seeds. I’m going to store my seeds in the refrigerator for a temperature-controlled environment. You can also use a ball jar with a lid to store your seeds. Make sure you label the seeds or you will get some real surprises when you’re sowing them in the spring.

Seed Germination

I’ll take them out in January to start the seeds indoors. In Zone 5b snapdragons and sweet peas are one of the first seeds to get planted.

They need to be started 10-12 weeks before the last frost and in Northern Illinois (Zone 5b) that will be between January 15th and February 1st. 

These tiny little seeds get sowed right on top of the dirt. You don’t want to cover them as they need light to germinate.

Using a toothpick or tweezers, place a few seeds in each pot filled with seed starter soil. Keep the soil moist, not wet or dry. I use a spray bottle of water and spray them twice a day until they start to germinate under grow lights.

Other Seeds to Harvest

Snapdragons aren’t the only seeds that I harvest from my garden. I also collect sweet peas, impatiens, and zinnias. Each year I’m learning about new seeds that I can gather from my plants. 

Part of my gardening journey has been, not only creating a beautiful garden but learning how to start my plants from seeds. Until a few years ago I was purchasing seeds from outside sources. Now I’m gathering some of my own to grow my plants.

There is something very satisfying about seeing a growing plant and knowing that it came full circle from your garden the year before. 

Seeds from Vegetables

Next year I’m going to add gathering seeds from my favorite vegetables to my gardening skills. You’re never too old to learn!

Late Summer Gardening

Every season there is something to be done in the gardens. Now is the time to collect seeds, divide perennials, clean up the gardens, and make notes in my garden journal for reference next year.

Happy Gardening!

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