Fall Garden Chores: Saving Seeds and Storing Tender Bulbs for Winter
As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisp, gardeners know it's time to transition from summer's abundant blooms and harvests to preparing the garden for winter. Fall is the perfect opportunity to reflect on what worked well in your garden, save seeds from your favorite plants, and protect tender bulbs from winter’s chill. In this post, I’ll give you detailed instructions on two critical fall garden chores: saving seeds and digging up and storing tender bulbs.
1. How to Save Seeds from Your Garden
Seed saving is an ancient practice that allows you to carry forward your garden’s best plants year after year. Here’s how to save seeds from some of the easiest-to-grow plants like tomatoes, beans, peppers, basil, dill, marigolds, and zinnias.
Tomatoes
Tomato seeds require a bit of extra care because they are encased in a gel that prevents germination. Here’s how to handle them:
Pick a fully ripe tomato: Choose a tomato that is soft and completely ripe for the best seeds.
Cut and scoop: Slice the tomato in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and gel into a small jar or glass.
Ferment the seeds: Add a little water to the jar, just enough to cover the seeds. Leave the jar at room temperature for 3-5 days. The mixture will start to ferment, and a layer of mold will form on top—this is normal!
Rinse and dry: After fermentation, pour off the mold and add fresh water. Stir the mixture and allow the good seeds to sink to the bottom. Pour off the liquid, leaving the viable seeds behind. Rinse the seeds well and spread them on a plate or paper towel to dry completely, which may take a week or more.
Store: Once dry, store the seeds in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place. Properly saved tomato seeds can last up to five years.
Beans
Beans are one of the simplest seeds to save because they naturally dry on the plant.
Leave pods on the plant: Allow the pods to remain on the plant until they turn brown and become brittle. This usually happens in the fall, after the first frost.
Harvest the pods: Once dry, pick the pods and crack them open to release the beans inside.
Dry and store: Spread the beans out on a tray to dry for another week or so. Then store the fully dried beans in a jar or envelope. Beans can remain viable for several years if stored in a cool, dry place.
Peppers
Saving pepper seeds is similar to tomatoes, but it doesn’t involve fermentation.
Choose a fully ripe pepper: Peppers need to reach full maturity for viable seeds, which means they should be fully colored (red, orange, or yellow, depending on the variety).
Cut and scrape: Slice the pepper open and use a spoon or your fingers to scrape the seeds out. Be sure to separate the seeds from the surrounding membranes.
Dry and store: Spread the seeds in a single layer on a plate or paper towel and allow them to dry for about a week. Once completely dry, store them in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dark place.
Basil
Basil seeds form after the plant flowers, and they are tiny but easy to harvest.
Wait for the flowers to dry: Let your basil plants bloom and go to seed. Once the flowers turn brown and dry on the plant, they will contain tiny black seeds.
Collect the seeds: Snip off the dried flower heads and place them in a paper bag. Shake the bag or rub the flower heads between your fingers to release the seeds.
Clean and store: Gently blow away the chaff (plant debris) and store the seeds in a labeled envelope.
Dill
Dill seeds are another easy-to-harvest herb seed that dries on the plant.
Let the seed heads dry: Allow the dill plant to flower and form seed heads. When the seed heads turn brown, they’re ready for harvest.
Harvest the seed heads: Cut off the dried seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Shake the bag or rub the seed heads to release the seeds.
Store: Clean the seeds by removing the chaff and store them in a labeled jar or envelope.
Marigolds
Marigold seeds are long and easy to spot within the dried flower heads.
Let the flower heads dry: Once the marigold flowers fade, let the flower heads dry on the plant. The base of the flower will become papery and brown.
Harvest the seeds: Snip off the dried flower heads and gently pull them apart. The seeds are long and slender, attached to dried petals.
Dry and store: Spread the seeds out to air-dry for a few days before storing them in an envelope.
Zinnias
Zinnias are colorful and prolific bloomers that produce plenty of seeds.
Allow flowers to dry: Let the zinnia flowers dry completely on the plant. The seed heads will turn brown and the petals will wither.
Harvest the seeds: Cut off the dried flower heads and break them apart. The seeds are attached to the base of each petal and look like small, arrowhead-shaped grains.
Dry and store: Spread the seeds on a plate or paper towel to finish drying, then store them in a labeled envelope.
2. When and How to Dig and Store Tender Bulbs
Many tender bulbs, such as dahlias, cannas, and gladiolus, won’t survive the winter if left in the ground. Digging and storing them ensures you can replant them next season. Here’s a detailed guide to doing it right:
1. Timing is Key
Wait for the first light frost to kill off the foliage of your tender plants. Once the tops have browned and wilted, it’s time to dig up the bulbs. Cut the stems back to about 6 inches above the soil before you start.
2. Carefully Dig Up the Bulbs
Use a garden fork or spade to carefully loosen the soil around the bulbs. Start digging a few inches away from the base of the plant to avoid damaging the bulbs. Gently lift them from the soil, and for larger clumps like dahlias, take extra care to avoid breaking the tubers apart.
3. Clean the Bulbs
Once you’ve dug up the bulbs, gently brush off the excess soil. Avoid washing the bulbs with water, as excess moisture can encourage rot. Lay the bulbs out in a cool, shaded area to dry for a few days.
4. Store the Bulbs
Once the bulbs are dry:
Trim off any remaining foliage to about 2 inches.
Place the bulbs in a well-ventilated container like a mesh bag, cardboard box, or crate. You can also pack them in peat moss, sawdust, or shredded newspaper to help absorb moisture and prevent rot.
Label each type of bulb so you remember which is which come springtime!
5. Store in a Cool, Dark Place
The ideal storage temperature for tender bulbs is 40-50°F (4-10°C). A cool basement, unheated garage, or even a cold closet will work. Make sure the bulbs are kept dry and check on them every few weeks throughout winter. If they appear to be shriveling, you can lightly mist them with water. Remove any bulbs that show signs of rot immediately to prevent it from spreading.
Additional Fall Garden Chores to Consider
In addition to saving seeds and storing bulbs, here are a few more tasks to help your garden thrive next year:
Cut back perennials: Trimming dead foliage will help prevent disease and keep your garden tidy.
Mulch your beds: A layer of mulch helps insulate your plants and regulate soil temperatures over winter.
Plant garlic: Fall is the perfect time to plant garlic for harvest next summer.
Clean and store garden tools: Give your tools a good cleaning, sharpening, and oiling to keep them in top shape for next year.
By taking the time to save seeds and properly store tender bulbs, you’ll ensure your garden continues to thrive season after season. These fall garden chores set the stage for a bountiful and beautiful garden next year, while also helping you save money by growing plants from your own stock.
For more gardening tips and seasonal advice, visit my blog at www.petandplantpal.net. Happy gardening!
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