The wildflowers are putting on a good show this spring! We started with a great show of bluebonnets, but the Indian Blanket, Pink Evening Primrose, Blackfoot Daisy, Bee Balm, and many others are blooming beautifully now. I had a chance to drive to Marble Falls recently, and the wildflowers made the drive so enjoyable!
The bluebonnets are starting to fade into the background, but if you get close to the plants you will notice that the plants are producing seed pods. Bluebonnets are in the legume family, so they produce a pod that looks like a peapod. The pod starts out green, then turns yellow and then brown. If you leave them alone, the pods will pop and spread the seed on the ground.
If you have some bluebonnets nearby, this is a great time to collect some seed
to expand your bluebonnets for next year or share them with a friend. The first step to collecting seed is to ask permission from the landowner. Never collect on public land or parks. When you collect seed, collect only ten percent of the seed so you leave plenty of seed for the site to maintain its stand.
Bluebonnet pods are mature when the pods look dry and begin to change from yellow to brown. The seeds inside the pods should have a dark color and be hard. Remove seeds from the pod, then store in the refrigerator in a paper bag to ensure good air circulation. Bluebonnet seeds are planted in the early fall. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has an excellent guide to planting bluebonnet seeds.
If you collect other kinds of wildflower seeds, remember these tips for cleaning and storage. Dry the seed pods for a few days to make sure the seeds are thoroughly dry. Try to remove as much plant material such as pods from the seeds as you can to reduce storage space and prevent mold or insects. If the seed is in a pulpy fruit, be sure to clean off all the pulp and dry it to prevent mold. Threshing the seeds, or even shaking them in a big bowl, can help separate the seeds from the plant material.
Store seeds in paper bags in a cool, dry location. The idea temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less with less than 50 percent humidity. The refrigerator is the best place to store seed. Do not store in plastic or non-breathable containers unless the seeds are thoroughly dried first. Be sure to label the seed and collection date. I always think I will remember a variety name or date, but that I rarely can remember six months down the road!
Enjoy the wildflower season and take some time to collect a few seeds for your own wildflowers next year! For more lawn and garden information, contact the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office at 512-943-3300.
