Wild Seeds

[Rosyrain]

Do any of you use wild seeds in your gardening efforts? I was recently walking around my dad's gardens with him and he was showing me all of the seedlings he has planted over the last couple of years just by finding seeds in the wild. He and my mom do a lot of hiking and he has collected walnuts, tree cones, berries and other things and has taken them home and planted them in the yard. Most of them are growing well and did not cost him a dime. How about you all?

 

[marlingardener]

I collect wildflower seeds--never all from any one place, and never dig up the plant itself.
If visiting a public park and I see a desirable plant, I'll go find a park attendant or the park ranger and ask permission to take a cutting. I've brought home cuttings from botanical gardens, zoos, and even strangers' yards. You'd be surprised how pleased people are that you admire a plant and ask for a cutting, offering a cutting of your own, or a loaf of home-baked bread. Gardeners, either public or private, are generous!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Do any of you use wild seeds in your gardening efforts?

I have only a few that I grew from gathered seeds. Habitat is struggling as it is, so I generally don't take anything unless there is a large population of that plant in the area. New England Aster, Smooth Oxeye, and Black-eyed Susans are ones that I collected from the wild. I only take about half a seedhead's worth of seeds to ensure that it still has seeds to spread.

All of my plants are native "wild" plants, but I purchased most of them as seed packets for $1-$2. I feel better about doing it that way, and it was still extremely cheap. After two years, they begin to produce their own free seeds, which means I can grow an even larger garden, and it also means I can scatter the seeds of the three species I gathered back at the location I got them from.

Make sure you know the laws about taking seeds. Around here, you can only take from private lands, and only if you get permission.

 

[djordjem87]

I usually seeds that I get from wild mint, basil and similar herbs. I prefer these, especially mint, because it is richer in taste and the tea is incredible. I use it for making chocolate and cakes and it is much better than regular mint. Another thing I like wild is the berries. I actually do not know how my father managed to plant these but we have wild strawberries. I am not sure if it was using the seeds.

 

[marlingardener]

I'm glad JB mentioned checking if it is legal to collect seeds. Here in Texas you can collect roadside seeds, but not plants. Where there is a large population of any wildflower, gathering a teaspoon of seed (usually 'way more than enough) doesn't impact the next year's crop.
I also like his idea of giving seeds back to where they were gathered.

 

[sillylucy]

I don't because I don't know if they are going to overpower my plants that I have now. I used to get the seeds from picking flowers in my neighborhoods that are thriving. That way I know that they are going to do well in this environment since the weather conditions are pretty much the same. Good on your parents for going on nature hikes. I wish my parents did the same.

 

[Rosyrain]

My dad takes seeds and cones that have fallen to the ground. I do not think he has actually dug anything up except for at work a couple times when they were getting ready to bulldoze an area and the plants were going to get ripped up at destroyed anyway. He has actually even planted seeds in the wild so future generations can get the offerings from the trees.