Saving Flower Seeds

The harvest season at Turnberry Croft lasts well into November
and includes more than fruits and vegetables. When the flower
gardens have succumbed to frost, the time is ripe for gathering the
bounty of seeds from my annuals. This saves money next spring
as the cost of seed seems to rise every year and you get less seed
for your money. With flower beds as large as mine, I need vast quantities
of seed to produce the amount of plants I need.

This fall, I collected seed from my Cosmos, both the single and double,
Burgundy Bachelor Buttons, (the dark maroon color is especially
intriguing) and of course, the old standby of Marigolds, both small
and the taller varieties. Each dead blossom holds a wealth of seed,
so you get hundreds of them (which translates into plants) virtually for
free! I always leave some seed heads for the birds. It's such fun watching them perch o them perch on the spindly stems and feast on something that brings such
beauty beauty into my life and ultimately helps the local wildlife survive the long, harsh harsh winters of Wisconsin .