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How to Harvest and Save Nasturtium Seeds

It is very easy to save seeds from a nasturtium plant.

You just have to gather the seeds and dry them. 

Then, you can store them somewhere cool and dark for the following year.

Nasturtiums are enormously popular garden plants, and many people love them. 

They are bright and beautiful, and you can even eat the leaves and flowers. 

So, it’s a lovely plant to have in your garden.

But you have to plant them every year if you are going to keep enjoying them, as they die in winter. 

Thus, it’s best to learn to harvest the seeds, so you don’t have to spend money re-buying them each year. 

How Do You Collect Nasturtium Seeds?

Nasturtiums produce an abundance of flowers, and you can begin harvesting the seeds as soon as the first flowers die. 

When this happens, you will notice pea-sized seed pods begin to form behind them.

However, do not pick the pods straight away because the seeds will not yet have ripened and, thus, may not germinate.

But, when a flower has entirely died, you can push the remnants of the petals aside to look for the seed pods. 

You should find the pods near the center of the flower, usually in groups of two, three, or four.

Then, once you have located them, see if the pods have turned brown and wrinkly. 

If they have, they should be ready for you to harvest. 

And you should make sure you harvest them fairly soon, or they will drop off and may be lost.

Or, if you want to be sure you collect the seeds before the pods fall, you can pick the pods while they are still green as long as they have had time to become plump.

Just make sure the pods come off the plant easily. 

If they don’t, let them ripen a bit longer.

Then, when you have your desired number of pods, set them on a plate covered in paper towels.

Next, put the plate in a warm, dry place away from sunlight and wait for the seeds to dry out. 

Generally, ripe seed pods should take about a week to dry.

But, if the pods are still green, it can take longer, as they contain more moisture.

Lastly, you should turn the seed pods frequently to encourage drying. 

And remember that you must be patient during this stage. 

You don’t want to store pods that are still wet because they will become moldy and contaminate the other seeds.

How Do You Store Nasturtium Seeds?

When your seed pods are completely dry, you can put them into paper envelopes.

Next, write the plant name and the harvesting date on the front of the envelopes, and then place the envelopes inside a plastic tub or glass jar with an airtight seal.

This storage method will protect the seeds from any atmospheric moisture and help to keep them viable for the following year.

Then, store your nasturtium seeds in a cool, dark cupboard. 

Or, you can also put them in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

Overall, you should be able to store the seeds for several years or even a decade in the right conditions.

However, be aware that the germination rate will go down as time passes, so it is often best to use up old seeds and start with a fresh batch for the following year.

Read Also >> How to Harvest and Save Moldy Seeds

What If I Can’t Find the Seeds?

If the nasturtium plant doesn’t seem to have any seeds on its stems, they may have dropped off.

But, don’t worry, since they are relatively easy to collect from the soil. 

All you need to do is push aside the stems and leaves and look around the soil beneath the plant.

You should see light brown, wrinkly pods there, which you can collect and take indoors for storage.

Just make sure you dry them thoroughly, as they may have got wet from dew and ground moisture.

Read Also >> How to Harvest and Save Hollyhock Seeds

Do Nasturtiums Re-Seed Naturally?

Even if you don’t harvest and re-plant the seeds, you will likely see nasturtium plants come up year after year because their pods will drop into the soil. 

However, if you want to ensure you get nasturtiums every year, it is best to save and plant at least some of the seeds yourself.

Sow them when spring comes, and you can rest assured you will have a new crop of nasturtiums to enjoy, eat, and share with the pollinating bees.

Read Also >> How to Harvest and Save Gerbera Daisy Seeds

Conclusion

Harvesting and saving nasturtium seeds is super simple, and anyone can do it. 

Plus, it’s a great way to save money while still getting to enjoy these gorgeous plants every year.

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