Reuniting Kids w/ Nature - Seed Saving

MATERIALS: 
Several small envelopes to put the different seeds you collect in, scissors, a pencil or pen

TIME FRAME: 
As long (or as short) as you’d like!


PROCEDURE:

1. With permission, go on a walk during the fall, winter or summer and look for old, dead flowers
2. The heads of most flowers contains the seeds for the next generation of flowers, this is what you are looking for!
3. Once you find a patch of dead flowers, carefully cut off the head of a few of the flowers.  Please be sure to leave several intact so new flowers can grow in that spot next year.
4. Place the seeds from each type of flower into an envelope and label it If you know what kind of flowers they are, great!  If not, don’t worry!  You can grow them next year and learn!
5. Upon returning home, lay your seeds out on a cookie sheet and allow to dry completely.
6. Once dry, place them in envelopes and store them  until it is time to sow them in your own yard! 

REFLECTION:
What varieties of seeds did you collect?  If you are unsure of some of the varieties, how can you find out what they are before they germinate next season?  Where did you collect you seeds from?  Did you meet any new people while you were collecting?

CONNECTIONS:
Historically, everyone was responsible for saving their own seeds for the coming planting season...you couldn’t simply go to a store and purchase them like you can now!  If you couldn’t gather your own seeds, you could trade (barter) for seeds if  someone wanted some of your seeds and you wanted some of theirs.

TIPS: 

• Cosmos and marigolds are very easy seeds to collect and save and are very easy to grow as well!
• Always ask for permission before  going on to someone’s property and gathering seeds from their plants.  Most people will be happy to share their seeds with, but you must ask first!

This activity is part of a series of low cost, hands on activities that can be used by anyone who has a passion for nature and who believes that a child's time spent in nature is not only important, but necessary.  Each activity was either created by me or gathered from a variety of sources.  You can find the complete list of all of the activities on my Nature Activities tab.

xoxo,

M

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