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Seed Saving Calendar
Free plants, local genetics, and a winter project. Enter a zip code and we'll tell you which natives are ripening now near you, how to collect and clean each one, and exactly when to stratify or winter-sow based on your frost dates.
Collect responsibly
- Collect from your own garden or with permission. Never from preserves or parks, including our planters.
- Take no more than one seed head in ten from any wild patch, and leave the rest for birds and next year.
- Collect on a dry afternoon into paper, never plastic; label with species, place, and date.
- Dry a week indoors, clean off chaff and fluff (or skip it; most natives sow fine with chaff), store cool and dry.
Sep
Ripening now
Species whose seed is typically ready this month. Those tagged as seeding by nearby iNaturalist observers in the last 45 days are listed first.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
- Ready when
- Pods turn gray-brown, feel soft, and split along the seam; seeds inside are brown, not white.
- Collect and clean
- Pick pods just as the seam opens. Hold the floss end, strip seeds off with a thumbnail, or shake pods in a paper bag with a coin. Store dry and cool.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Milkweed seed needs a cold period; winter sowing is nearly foolproof.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Swamp milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
- Ready when
- Slender pods brown and split; seeds brown.
- Collect and clean
- Same as common milkweed. Clean floss off before storing.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowAug–Sep
Butterfly weed
Asclepias tuberosa
- Ready when
- Upright pods turn tan and crack at the seam.
- Collect and clean
- Bag pods with mesh or organza a week early; they open fast on hot days.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Taproot: transplant seedlings young or sow where they will grow.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct–Nov
Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
- Ready when
- Cone turns black and spiny; seeds are tan, wedge-shaped, and hard when pinched.
- Collect and clean
- Snip dry cones, crush in a bag with gloves (spines), winnow chaff. Leave half for the goldfinches.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
- Ready when
- Centers turn dark and dry; tiny black seeds shake loose.
- Collect and clean
- Rub dry cones between palms over a bowl.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Surface sow; needs light. Cold improves germination but is optional.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
no rights reservedIn bloom
Ripening nowSep–OctScarlet bee balm
Monarda didyma
- Ready when
- Round seed heads dry and brown; tiny seeds fall when tapped.
- Collect and clean
- Invert heads into a bag and shake. Sift through a fine strainer.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
- Ready when
- Heads dry and brown; seeds rattle out.
- Collect and clean
- Same as bee balm.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Garden phlox
Phlox paniculata
- Ready when
- Small round capsules turn brown and split with a pop.
- Collect and clean
- Bag stems early; capsules eject seed. Seed is short-lived, so sow the same season.
- Sowing
- Direct sow outdoors in fall; winter does the stratifying. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Foxglove beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
- Ready when
- Pointed brown capsules split at the top.
- Collect and clean
- Snip capsules, invert and shake out dust-fine seed.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
no rights reservedIn bloom
Ripening nowSep–OctCardinal flower
Lobelia cardinalis
- Ready when
- Capsules along the spike turn brown; seed is like fine dust.
- Collect and clean
- Cut whole spikes into a paper bag and shake.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light. Keep the surface constantly moist until seedlings are up.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
no rights reservedSeed stage
Ripening nowSep–OctWoodland sunflower
Helianthus divaricatus
- Ready when
- Heads dry; plump gray seeds pull free.
- Collect and clean
- Collect before finches take them; rub out and winnow.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
no rights reservedSeed stage
Ripening nowSep–OctAnise hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
- Ready when
- Spikes dry; tiny dark seed falls when rubbed.
- Collect and clean
- Rub spikes over a bowl; sift.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Eastern bluestar
Amsonia tabernaemontana
- Ready when
- Long slender pods turn brown; seeds are cylindrical corky pegs.
- Collect and clean
- Split pods by hand.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Nick or soak the corky seed 24 hours before stratifying.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
False sunflower (oxeye)
Heliopsis helianthoides
- Ready when
- Cones dry and darken; wedge seeds pull free.
- Collect and clean
- Rub out and winnow.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Blue vervain
Verbena hastata
- Ready when
- Spikes turn brown; small nutlets rub free.
- Collect and clean
- Strip spikes into a bag.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct–Nov
Common evening primrose
Oenothera biennis
- Ready when
- Woody capsules split from the top; seeds are tiny and angular.
- Collect and clean
- Invert stems into a bag and shake.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Ready when
- Flower balls turn to hard brown nutlet balls.
- Collect and clean
- Pick balls, dry, break apart.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Sow on constantly wet soil; seed also floats to new spots naturally.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
Northern spicebush
Lindera benzoin
- Ready when
- Drupes glossy red.
- Collect and clean
- Clean pulp promptly and sow the same week; seed dies if it dries out.
- Sowing
- Sow fresh, right after collecting; seed loses viability if it dries. Needs about 120 days of cold-moist stratification. Sow outdoors in fall in a protected flat; germinates the following spring.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow within days of collecting, outdoors, and let winter handle the rest.
- Ripening nowSep–Oct
White oak
Quercus alba
- Ready when
- Acorns drop and caps come off easily; discard any with pinholes or that float.
- Collect and clean
- Gather within days of dropping.
- Sowing
- Sow fresh, right after collecting; seed loses viability if it dries. White oak acorns sprout immediately in fall. Plant an inch deep right away under hardware cloth to foil squirrels.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow within days of collecting, outdoors, and let winter handle the rest.
- Ripening nowAug–Sep
Black cherry
Prunus serotina
- Ready when
- Cherries turn black and soft.
- Collect and clean
- Clean pulp off in water; dry pits briefly.
- Sowing
- Direct sow outdoors in fall; winter does the stratifying. Needs about 120 days of cold-moist stratification. Sow outdoors in fall; protect from rodents.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.
Next two months
Coming up
- Oct–Nov
Goldenrods (showy, stiff, wrinkleleaf)
Solidago speciosa, S. rigida, S. rugosa
- Ready when
- Plumes turn fluffy white; seeds detach with their parachute.
- Collect and clean
- Strip fluff into a bag on a dry day; sow fluff and all.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light. Collect from the clumping species you want; avoid Canada goldenrod.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
New England aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Ready when
- Flower heads become fluffy tan puffs.
- Collect and clean
- Pinch puffs into a bag; no cleaning needed.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Smooth blue aster
Symphyotrichum laeve
- Ready when
- Fluffy puffs on dried heads.
- Collect and clean
- Same as New England aster.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
White wood aster
Eurybia divaricata
- Ready when
- Fluffy puffs.
- Collect and clean
- Pinch into a bag.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Joe Pye weed
Eutrochium dubium / E. purpureum
- Ready when
- Flower domes turn tan and fluffy.
- Collect and clean
- Strip fluff on a dry day; sow with the fluff.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
- Ready when
- Seed heads turn silver-white and fluffy along the stems.
- Collect and clean
- Run a gloved hand up the stem to strip fluffy seed. Sow fluff and all.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
- Ready when
- Airy panicles dry tan; seeds fall when shaken.
- Collect and clean
- Shake panicles into a bag.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Fresh seed is strongly dormant; year-old seed germinates better.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
- Oct–Nov
Dense blazing star
Liatris spicata
- Ready when
- Spikes turn fluffy tan from the top down.
- Collect and clean
- Strip fluff downward into a bag.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
no rights reservedSeed stage
Oct–NovNew York ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
- Ready when
- Heads become rusty, fluffy tufts.
- Collect and clean
- Pinch tufts into a bag.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Clustered mountain mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
- Ready when
- Dry flat heads shed tiny seed when tapped.
- Collect and clean
- Shake heads into a bag; sift.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
White turtlehead
Chelone glabra
- Ready when
- Capsules brown and split; flat winged seeds.
- Collect and clean
- Cut spikes, shake out.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
- Oct–Nov
Swamp rose mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos
- Ready when
- Round capsules turn brown and split into five parts; seeds are dark and round.
- Collect and clean
- Pick capsules before they shatter; shake out seed.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Soak seed 24 hours in warm water before sowing; nick hard seed coats.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Oct–Nov
Sweet pepperbush (summersweet)
Clethra alnifolia
- Ready when
- Peppercorn-like capsules dry brown along the spike.
- Collect and clean
- Cut spikes, dry indoors, crush; seed is dust-fine.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light. Softwood cuttings in June are far easier.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Oct–Nov
Winterberry holly
Ilex verticillata
- Ready when
- Berries bright red and slightly soft.
- Collect and clean
- Clean pulp off in water; seed sinks.
- Sowing
- Rarely grown from seed; divide or take cuttings instead. Needs about 180 days of cold-moist stratification. Double dormancy: needs a warm period then a cold one, up to 18 months. Softwood cuttings in early summer are the practical route.
- Oct–Nov
Eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis
- Ready when
- Flat brown pods hang on the branches into winter.
- Collect and clean
- Pick pods, split, and shell the hard flat seeds.
- Sowing
- Cold-moist stratify in the fridge, then sow in spring. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Pour just-boiled water over seed and soak overnight to soften the coat before stratifying.
- Typical Long Island dates
- For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
12 more species, later in the year
- May–Jun
Golden ragwort
Packera aurea
- Ready when
- Dandelion-like puffs.
- Collect and clean
- Pinch puffs and scatter immediately where wanted.
- Sowing
- Sow fresh, right after collecting; seed loses viability if it dries. Spreads readily on its own; division is easiest.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow within days of collecting, outdoors, and let winter handle the rest.
- May–Jun–Jul
Common blue violet
Viola sororia
- Ready when
- Capsules split into three boats and shoot seed.
- Collect and clean
- Just let it self-sow; it does not need help.
- Sowing
- Rarely grown from seed; divide or take cuttings instead. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification. Move plants by division in spring.
- Jun–Jul
Moss phlox
Phlox subulata
- Ready when
- Tiny capsules after bloom.
- Collect and clean
- Not worth chasing.
- Sowing
- Rarely grown from seed; divide or take cuttings instead. Divide or root stem cuttings in early summer.
- Jun–Jul
Wild red columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
- Ready when
- Upright capsules split at the top; shiny black seed pours out.
- Collect and clean
- Tip capsules into an envelope. Sow soon; fresh seed germinates best.
- Sowing
- Sow fresh, right after collecting; seed loses viability if it dries. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light. Scatter where you want it in July and let it self-sow after that.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow within days of collecting, outdoors, and let winter handle the rest.
- Jun–Jul
Wild geranium
Geranium maculatum
- Ready when
- Crane's-bill capsules turn brown, then fling seed several feet.
- Collect and clean
- Bag developing capsules with organza a week ahead or you will get nothing.
- Sowing
- Direct sow outdoors in fall; winter does the stratifying. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.
- Jun–Jul
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
- Ready when
- Tiny capsules after the spring spikes.
- Collect and clean
- Dust-fine seed; tricky.
- Sowing
- Rarely grown from seed; divide or take cuttings instead. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification. Divide runners in spring or fall instead.
- Jun
Woodland stonecrop
Sedum ternatum
- Ready when
- Tiny dry follicles after bloom.
- Collect and clean
- Not practical.
- Sowing
- Rarely grown from seed; divide or take cuttings instead. Stem cuttings root in days on damp soil.
- Jun–Jul
Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata
- Ready when
- Calyces dry; four nutlets per flower shake out.
- Collect and clean
- Shake dry spikes into a bag.
- Sowing
- No pretreatment needed; sow in spring after frost or in fall. Surface sow; needs light. Self-sows generously.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow after April 15, or in fall any time before the ground freezes.
- Jun–Jul
Serviceberry (shadbush)
Amelanchier canadensis
- Ready when
- Fruit dark purple and sweet (if the birds leave any).
- Collect and clean
- Mash in water, collect sunken seed, do not let it dry.
- Sowing
- Sow fresh, right after collecting; seed loses viability if it dries. Needs about 120 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Sow within days of collecting, outdoors, and let winter handle the rest.
- Jul–Aug
Golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
- Ready when
- Umbels turn from green to dark brown; seeds ribbed and dry.
- Collect and clean
- Strip seeds from umbels when brown.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 60 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 31.
no rights reservedSeed stage
Jul–AugLanceleaf coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
- Ready when
- Heads turn brown; flat, dark, winged seeds rattle out.
- Collect and clean
- Rub dry heads over a bowl.
- Sowing
- Winter-sow outdoors (jugs or flats) any time after the first hard freeze. Needs about 30 days of cold-moist stratification.
- Typical Long Island dates
- Winter-sow or direct sow: November 30 to March 1.For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by March 2.
- Jul–Aug
Highbush blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
- Ready when
- Berries fully blue and soft.
- Collect and clean
- Mash fruit in water; viable seed sinks. Dry on paper.
- Sowing
- Cold-moist stratify in the fridge, then sow in spring. Needs about 90 days of cold-moist stratification. Surface sow; needs light. Seedlings are slow and variable; hardwood cuttings keep the parent's traits.
- Typical Long Island dates
- For spring planting after April 15: start fridge stratification by January 1.
FAQ
Seed questions
- Is it okay to collect seed from wild plants?
- From your own garden or a friend's, yes, and it is the best way to get local genetics. From the wild, only with the landowner's permission, never from preserves, parks, or rare species, and never more than about one seed head in ten from any population. Our planters at Wawapek, the sanctuary, and the museum are not for collecting; ask us and we will share seed from home.
- What is cold-moist stratification?
- A chilling period that breaks dormancy in most temperate native seed. Mix seed with slightly damp sand or a paper towel in a labeled bag in the refrigerator for the number of days shown, then sow. Winter sowing outdoors in vented milk jugs does the same job with less fuss and no fridge space.
- What does winter sowing mean?
- Sowing seed in a vented, translucent container (a milk jug cut most of the way around works) set outdoors in December or January. Freeze-thaw cycles stratify the seed and it germinates on its own schedule in spring, already hardened off. It is the easiest method for nearly every plant on this page.
- How long does native seed stay viable?
- Most dry, hard seed (coneflower, milkweed, bee balm, grasses) keeps for several years in a sealed jar in the refrigerator with a desiccant packet. Fleshy or oily seed (spicebush, serviceberry, oaks) dies if it dries out and must be sown fresh. Phlox and columbine lose viability within a year.