How to dry the seeds from your garden to plant next spring

Expand your plant collection for free by saving seeds this year, storing them over the winter and sowing them next spring, says Clare Wilson

By Clare Wilson

GROWING your own plants using seeds saved from the previous year has several benefits. It is free, easy and you already know if these plant varieties grow well in your garden.

You can also branch out, if you have been coveting any of your neighbours’ flowers, by asking them if they could donate a few flower heads once they have set seed. I have acquired some tall ornamental grasses by taking a few seeds from some striking specimens at my local park.

Bear in mind that some hybrid “F1” varieties of fruits and vegetables shouldn’t have their seeds stored. These …