Seed Snatchin': The Art and Sport of Collecting Seeds

By Jill M. Nicolaus (critterologist) November 29, 2007

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We all know gardeners who pounce on every faded flower, deadheading to keep their garden looking as fresh and colorful as possible. Other gardeners, less dedicated or more distracted, claim the spent flowers add “texture” to their gardens. And some gardeners know the value of allowing seeds to ripen for later collection. To them, those dried stems have a special beauty and excitement after the flowers fade. Seed collecting can be an obsessive hobby, and one that’s not necessarily limited to your own garden…

It starts with the realization that if you pick a few of those “dead” marigold blooms by the mailbox and stick them in a drawer, you won’t have to buy a new packet of seeds next spring. Soon, you learn to recognize the fluffy seeds of asters and clematis in your garden. Then you discover where the tiny dark seeds of salvia and rose campion hide on the dried flower stalks in your neighbor’s yard. The next thing you know, you’re eyeing the unusual lantana in front of the local McDonalds, planning to casually snitch a few pods when the seeds are ripe. Congratulations! You have joined the proud tradition of seed snatchin’.

Soon after joining DG, I came across the series of Seed Snatchin’ threads on the Saving Seeds discussion forum (subscribers only). I soon realized that my occasional raids on my neighbor’s zinnias or my best friend’s columbine patch were nothing compared to others' bold efforts. Imagine snatchin’ seeds from in front of the police station in broad daylight, or sneaking into a deserted lot to snag some morning glory pods. Their tales inspired me! Soon, my husband was pretending not to know me as I nonchalantly helped myself to petunia seeds in a restaurant window box. I’d pull the car onto the shoulder and search out chicory or oxeye daisy seeds. I’d briskly strip a handful of dried Salvia calixes or pluck a few dried coneflower heads on my way into an office building. Now my pockets never stay empty long.

For those concerned about the ethics of snatchin’, nothing says snatched seeds have to be harvested without permission. You might get some odd looks, but you’ll find few people who would object to your picking their dead flowers. Deadheading is good for plants, after all! Taking seeds instead of buying a plant at a local nursery doesn’t seem right to me, but many nursery owners will happily share a few extras if you ask. Beds and planters in public areas, on the other hand, seem like fair game. A little common sense will keep you on the side of what’s legal and considerate. If you collect wildflower seeds, please check to be sure you’re not on protected land or collecting endangered species. Leave plenty of seeds for reseeding.

There are several approaches to seed snatchin’. The Bold Front: Clad in coveralls and armed with pruners, go about the business of collecting the seeds. If you act as though pruning and tidying these plants is your job, nobody will think twice about what you’re doing. The Sneaky Sleight of Hand: Pretend to be sniffing a bloom or looking for the pen you dropped, then slip your hand into the plant and come away with a few seeds to stuff into your pocket as you turn away. The Ninja Raid: Under cover of darkness, using only a small keychain light, gather seeds quickly and quietly, and then make your escape without waking your neighbor’s tiny terror of a terrier. Try out a few of these methods, and you’ll soon develop your own signature style.

Collecting seeds wherever you find them requires improvisation. I’ve folded seeds into napkins and gum wrappers. I’ve dropped seeds into empty cola cans and brought them home rattling in my car’s cup holder. I’ve ended up with different seeds in each pocket of my five pocket jeans, foolishly thinking I’ll remember which seed was stashed where when I come in from the garden. (Hah! I do well to remember to empty the pockets before washing the jeans.)

Sometimes, I’m better prepared, with little sandwich baggies, labels, and a Sharpie marker to keep track of my treasures. Freshly snatched seeds aren’t usually quite dry, so I put mine out on plates to dry for a few weeks before removing the chaff and storing them in plastic bags. Some champion seed snatchers develop their own snatchin’ kits for purse or car.

Not all seeds are as easy to find and identify as those of marigolds or peppers. In addition to the Seed Saving forum, you’ll find seed photos and seed collecting tips in a growing number of PlantFiles entries. Some websites such as The Seed Site and the Seed Saving FAQs at wintersown.org also have great information on recognizing and collecting seeds.

Depending on where you live, it might be a little late for seed snatchin’ this year. But keep it in mind, and soon you’ll be taking notes on all the locations with great potential for snatchin’ next summer!

Once you get started, you may find that you’ve collected more seeds than you and your friends and relations can use. That’s a perfect time to increase the variety of your stash by heading over to the Seed Trading discussion forum (subscribers only). Sharing and swapping your seeds opens entire new worlds of gardening opportunities… but that’s another article.

Favorite Quotes from Famous Seed Snatchers:

Weezingreens: “Sometimes the best way to snatch is to just walk up… and look like you’re supposed to be doing it.”

Ginnylynn: “I’m beginning to notice a definite tendency to judge the quality of my surroundings by the level of seed snatchin’ possibilities I can see there.”

Pixydish: “I snatched a handful of it on principle alone, since I really don’t know where I’m going to put it.”

Photos by Jill M. Nicolaus. 

About Jill M. Nicolaus   Better known as "Critter" on DG, Jill gardens in Frederick, MD. This week, I've been cutting lavender, putting up pluots (plum-apricot fruits), and pulling weeds (always, LOL). I love being outside in the cooler morning -- coffee cup in one hand, watering hose in the other -- watching the birds and butterflies among the flowers.(Images in my articles are from my photos, unless otherwise credited.)

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Subject: you’re eyeing the unusual lantana...

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Posted by Chantell (from Middle of, VA) on April 6, 2008 at 2:04 PM:

...in front of the local McDonalds
Tell me please WHO would do something like THAT?!?!?!

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on April 6, 2008 at 2:11 PM:

LOL... how'd it work out for you?

;-)

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Posted by Chantell (from Middle of, VA) on April 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM:

So sad...never did get any BUT while Becky and I were out stalking the nurseries never Aldie (including the HUGE Meadow's Farms there) I pocketed some seed from a shrub with wonderfully scented blooms...wasn't a Daphne :( sadly... I'll have to ask Becky what the name was. Should have seen the look of horror as I was trying to reach the one (just HAD to be in the middle of the bunch) that I saw the seed pod on...LOL...she just please don't tell me you're...ugh! Ha...I said - yup sure am.

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on April 6, 2008 at 2:49 PM:

Aww, too bad on the lantana. LMK how that shrub seed snatch works out for you!

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Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on December 30, 2007 at 5:18 PM:

Thanks for this article, the tone was wonderful. As a new gardener, this very morning was the first time I ever did any seed 'borrowing'; I felt a tinge of guilt. After reading this, I no longer feel that guilt.
I have a tremendous amount of 'legal' seed which I've purchased, but now I am getting more and more interested in gardening and I knew it for certain when I did the seed borrow.

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on December 30, 2007 at 5:44 PM:

I like the term "seed borrowing!" But I have to admit that I rarely return seed to the same place from whence I borrowed it. However, I do pass along a lot of seed to people who share it in turn to people who pass it along again... so I figure it all works out in the end!

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Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on December 30, 2007 at 9:40 PM:

You see, it's borrowing because we give it back to the earth. As one of my favorite seed suppliers says, "we gardeners share the beauty." I like to think I'm doing humanity a favor by returning more than I ever borrowed. (lol) They 'loaned' seven seeds fully expecting me to make it happen, with a little help from my research, the sun, water and fert.
I, in turn, gave seven plants, possibly more depending on the follow-up, i.e. propagation and sharing with others. So, henceforth, my rule of thumb will be, "If I borrow the seed, I must be true to my original intent -making something beautiful." Ain't it great? Enjoy!

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Posted by Noturf (from Marquesas Islands
(Polynesia (French))) on December 10, 2007 at 5:26 PM:

Bored to death with the limited plant selection in most nurseries in Puerto Rico, some time ago I started collecting seeds of anything that may be interesting in my terrace garden. During my walks around the city,
I observe carefully, vines, bushes, plants that grow wild, often in abandoned spaces, in which they self seed. I do not care about their identification anymore. What is relevant is their flower, leave texture, size and drought, sun, marine breeze tolerance. Collecting seeds as you have written is one of my favorite aspects of practicing serious horticulture. Thanks for sharing it.

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Posted by Mamad2 (from Bennett, NC) on December 3, 2007 at 11:16 AM:

Do I need to store the dried flower seed I've "collected" in the refrigerator? someone said that they would do better to be storred in the frig. for a few weeks before planting in the spring. Thanks MamaD2

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on December 3, 2007 at 11:59 AM:

Some people do store their seed in the fridge or even in the freezer, which is fine for most seed, but just be sure it is completely dry first (ice crystals can damage seed). I keep my seed in a dry, dark place at controlled room temperature (not some place that will get hot in summer), and I get good germination for several years on most things. In actual fact, most of my seeds are mostly stored in a chest of drawers in the living room. I do store columbine, poppy, and some other seeds that like cold stratification in the butter keeper compartment of my fridge, but since I winter sow those anyway, it probably makes little difference. I do think storing in the fridge is good for poppy seeds because of their oil content -- it makes sense that you might need cool storage to help them stay fresh.

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Posted by plantladylin (from East Central, FL) on December 3, 2007 at 9:46 AM:

Jill: Loved this article! I must confess that I too am a seed snatcher! Although not as obsessive as some, I too have snatched seeds! Your article brought back memories of one fall while visiting my niece at college .... walking around campus and "snatching" seeds from different plants. One of my sisters tried to act as though she didn't know me .... couldn't believe I was doing such a thing! She wondered what would happen if security at the airport went through my suitcase and saw all those little baggies of seeds & pods. I told her I was sure they had seen it all before. That trip I even saw a woman walking through the airport terminal to get to her connecting flight, carrying a good sized house plant in her arms! I asked her if they allowed her to carry it on the plane and she said yes ... no problem! I usually don't have an extra hand for an actual plant while traveling, what with a carry on, my purse and laptop. I have been known to buy plants and ship them back home but the seed snatching is much easier. I highly recommend it!

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Posted by pbhgeorgia (from Lagrange, GA) on December 3, 2007 at 11:39 AM:

oh my the memories this article did bring back.. My coup was many years ago when visiting an ancient church in England (14th Century) where some of my ancestors were buried.. out in the lovely church yard.. filled with ancient yews...there were Honesty plants.. and in seed...well, you know some of them ended up in my pockets and came home with me.. where they have happily bloomed every summer since...

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Posted by lobelialady (from Cornwall
(Canada)) on December 3, 2007 at 9:46 AM:

This has to be the most laudable trait anyone can possess. Think of all the beauty that accrues from this pursuit. It is my practice never to remove seed heads from my flowers til the next spring....nature has done any necessary vernalization (saves me work) the tropicals are different however...has anyone brought an African violet to seed and actually harvested progeny? May I recommend this... try it, it is very satisfying but a slow, patience testing process. Seed pods, once formed, need 6 to 9 mos. to mature. (yes growers do it every day but it is a real coup to accomplish this in your kitchen!)

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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on November 30, 2007 at 3:41 PM:

I'm an amateur seed snatcher and I learned a lot from this article LOL.

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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on November 29, 2007 at 1:42 AM:

Fun article and the Seed Snatchin' threads are entertaining. Now we need one on storing all these little buddies. LOL Thanks for the chuckle!

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Posted by ceeadsalaskazone3 (from Seward, AK) on November 29, 2007 at 7:36 AM:

Did I just co-write that article with weezingreens? Me thinks the "damping off" finally is creeping thru me wee little head.. heheheehehe LOL Weez, I think I'm on my way "behind the curtain", "peeling off out of formation", "limited out my longevity", "lost it", (whoooeee) and I think I signed it "Critter" yep, losing it, definately.

(Critter, isn't it unsanitary to take words out of my mouth?)

LOL LOL

Great article!

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Posted by ginnylynn (from Blyth, ON) on November 29, 2007 at 8:16 AM:

Great article - I loved it! It put a smile on my face that I'm sure will last the rest of the day.

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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 29, 2007 at 9:06 AM:

Oh yeah Jill!
Very funny article!! LOL Relating to every word..
Seed snatchin' is my thing for sure... I am still collecting more seeds every day here. Glad you wrote this article, hopefully folks will save their seeds and share, rather than throw them in the trash.

debnes

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Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on November 29, 2007 at 10:18 AM:

**snicker snicker** What a fun read Jill :)

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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on November 29, 2007 at 11:00 AM:

Great article, big smile first thing this morning. I find I'm more aware of my surroundings now that I seed snatch, would hate to miss something special!

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Posted by jadajoy (from Newport News, VA) on November 29, 2007 at 11:02 AM:

O Critter,
I just started recognizing what the seeds look like on different plants and everywhere I go I am checking for them. Glad its not just me and I am in good company! Now if I only had time to plant them all..............

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Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on November 29, 2007 at 11:34 AM:

Great article!
I'm always on the lookout for "volunteer" seeds to add to my collection too, even have my family on the lookout. Let the "Great Seed Snatch" begin!
Cathy

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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on November 29, 2007 at 11:56 AM:

Very cute Jill! I saw no admission of a 'disease' or 'compulsion', however!! My only attempt at this was to scrape the poppy seeds off the roll in my supermarket. They banned me.

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Posted by JaxFlaGardener (from Jacksonville, FL) on November 29, 2007 at 12:28 PM:

"The most obvious is the least suspected" is my rule to go about the "bold front" approach of "assisting plants to propagate" (sounds more politically correct than "seed snatching." LOL

Great article. Thanks for an enjoyable read.

Jeremy

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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on November 29, 2007 at 2:06 PM:

I seed snatch while taking pictures of the flowers, who would suspect?

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Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on November 29, 2007 at 2:09 PM:

Good one Jeremy!!

What I mean by "seed snatchin'" is actually "seed catchin'".... before they fall to the ground. It's usually the ones in my own yard, (a-hem...cough coff)

Seriously~ There is an Organic Nursery I shop at and do butterfly presentations for... I usually bring a pack of some rare Native seeds and give them to the ladies who tend the plants. Then as I walk along, I say "Hey, mind if I collect these?" They usually say, "Take all you want!" (It does actually save them a bit of tedious work. :-)


:-debnes

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Posted by adinamiti (from Bucuresti
(Romania)) on November 29, 2007 at 2:59 PM:

Jill, I love it! I recognised myself in what you wrote!I'm addicted to seed snachin' too! LOL
Adina

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on November 29, 2007 at 3:17 PM:

ROFL, especially @ Jeremy & Victor! I'm glad you all had fun with the article. DH read it and didn't even crack a smile. He's tolerant, even supportive (I confessed this morning that I'd hit the B&B sale for more daffs, and he didn't even ask how many LOL), but he doesn't really get it. But a gardening buddy of mine dropped by and giggled her way through reading it... She and I have snatched our share of seeds! She says her sister has recently taken snatchin' to a whole new level, stopping to scoop up nicely aged cow pies from a roadside field to take home for her garden. :-)

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Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on November 29, 2007 at 3:25 PM:

Now that is dedication!

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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on November 29, 2007 at 3:27 PM:

Her DH makes her put them in the trunk, LOL... but they are newlyweds, so he does pull over when she spots "a nice one."

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Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on November 29, 2007 at 3:28 PM:

Oh, she's got a keeper there!

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Posted by broncbuster (from Waxahachie, TX) on November 29, 2007 at 3:53 PM:

Skateboarders used to hang out around municiple buildings and parks looking for hand rails, inclines and other architectual structures on which they could perform stunts. Now they have prohibitive signs up at many places warning skaters of fines. I can see it now: POSTED
COLLECTION OF SEEDS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED.
We better get 'em while we can!

Thanks for the excellent article!

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Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on November 29, 2007 at 3:56 PM:

How about 'You reap what you keep!'??

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Posted by AngelG1111 (from Frisco, TX) on November 29, 2007 at 5:47 PM:

The article was awesome!! I really enjoyed it. It made me laugh thinking about the ways I've tried to seed snatch this fall. While driving through Taco Bueno for lunch one day, I told the lady at the window that I was going to cut some of their dead flowers for them. She just shrugged and said "ok". The place was packed but I quickly got out my SS (seed snatching) kit (paper bags and perm sharpie) and went to work. I did get some strange looks from people as they passed me by. Oh well, I am now the proud owner of some "shades of Red" Helenium seeds!!

I have also done the 'act like you know what your doing here' thing to get some coneflower seeds from the Library. I even chat on my cell phone, or pretend to, while 'admiring' some flowers and collecting a few seeds. LOL

Thanks for the great article, makes me want to go look for some dead heads now though..

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Posted by Tuinkabouter (from 's-Gravenhage
(Netherlands)) on December 3, 2007 at 6:57 AM:

So good to hear that I'm not the only one who always carries a seedsnatching kit and puts her hubbie on the lookout while doing some seed hunting!

I think I may be ready for the Seedsnatchers Anonymous as I'm getting serious neck aches from looking out of the car to see if there's something to harvest out there.......

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Posted by svplantingfool (from South Venice, FL) on December 3, 2007 at 7:29 AM:

It certainly is hard to see those seedpods when you're on the highway... You need a chauffeur!
Cathy

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Posted by podster (from Deep East Texas, TX) on December 3, 2007 at 8:37 AM:

I watch the wildflowers bloom ~ stake their location out in my mind and then when they turn to seed, I snag them. Last summer there was a different coneflower I was watching. Didn't think it had been long enough. The roadway mowers got them before I did. Grrrrr!

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Posted by HEVS4U (from Teague, TX) on December 4, 2007 at 11:55 AM:

When gathering seeds in an unexpected location, if you find a leaf near-by they make a nifty holder. Fold and wrap with dry grass to keep secure.

Put some dirt on the end of a cutting and wrap it with dried grass until you can get it to some water.

Don't let un-like minded people deter you from making this a beautiful planet.

It is the plant lovers destiny to move on and enjoy tea with mother earth in her garden.

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Posted by mwperry (from Brandon, MS) on December 5, 2007 at 8:28 PM:

What a greenhorn I am! It never occurred to me to snatch seeds in public or anywhere else. Critter, et al., today you have ruined me. Wheee! A whole new world.

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