Do you have a specific seed in mind? Try the search function at the bottom of the ws front page. Ask about specific seeds and someone will share their experiences. There is also a Seed Saving forum that you can explore. Most seeds will be ready when their pods or blossoms are brown and crisp. Some are easy to collect, poppies, dianthus, malva, and balloon flower can be held over a bag or envelope then squeezed to release the seeds. Rudbeckia and echinacea seeds are difficult to find until you have had some practice. Both hold their seeds amongst the blossoms. When the blossom is dried on the plant they can be picked. The rudbeckia seeds are tiny dark rods. After awhile you will recognize the seeds. For me it was "aha, there they are" moment. I take various sized envelopes out to the garden to put the pods or blooms in then take them inside to find the seeds. For large seeds, blossoms, or large amounts of those I use a paper lunch bag. If they are not already very dry I leave them in the bag/envelope for a few days to continue to dry. Others spread the seed pods onto a paper plate to dry. Later I open the pods and collect the seeds while watching (actually listening to) the TV. The collected seeds are then put in a 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 paper coin envelope. When I am ready to trade I use either the paper coin envelope or very small plastic bead bags. I use cut down boxes with strips of cardboard cut for dividers to store my seed coin envelopes alphabetically. There are boxes for perennials, annuals, veggies, etc. Sometimes I find myself without an envelope/bagand just stuff the seeds into a pocket. LOL, that's why I have so many mystery seeds. Others have different ways. Have fun! Here is a link that might be useful: Saving seed

Hi there Nance! Starting hosta from seed is a fun and rewarding enterprise. I like to let the seeds ripen on the stalk- but I watch for drying and harvest the stalk before the pods burst open. I let the stalks finish drying in a paper lunch bag indoors in a cool dry place. Later on- I will use a tooth pick to coax the remaining seeds from the dried pods. I like to winter sow my hosta seedlings- and others have great results indoor sowing under lights indoors in the winter. Both of these options have forums here in GW. I take old icecream buckets, the ones that let some light through- poke drain holes in the bottom- and another 4 holes just under the lip at the top for transpiration. I add at least a thumbs depth of soil less potting mix with time released fert mixed in wet it good - sprinkle the seeds on top- put the lid back on and place out in the cold- sometime in January. There is not much more to do till you have sprouts. It is the lazy mans way to sure fire sowing. Most of your seedlings will probably be plain old hosta- but some may really shine! Enjoy! Julie

unless it's a late-flowering cultivar, go for it. I started taking them in last week, but I donate most. I cut the whole scape if it's looking dry and the pods are splitting as well, and just cut off pods if the scape is still firm. I put them in paper lunch bags. It allows you later to just shake the bag to get the seeds free, if they are dry enough. Plus, I can write on the bag. The late ones you can actually bring in, cutting the scape, and have it flower in sugar water, then you can control the cross. There's info on how to do this. I wouldn't worry about cold weather and seeds, unlesss you are wanting to do something specific.

Once mine are dry I brush the dirt off and store them inside a brown paper bag. The bag goes in a cool,dry,dark, cabinet or on a pantry shelf with a curtain.