Monty Don shares his gardening tip for bagging 'dozens of free plants' for years to come
Now is the time to collect seeds from your spent plants to create a regenerative garden that will grow year after year
August is here and with it a whole host of new garden jobs that need completing, first up? Collecting seeds in your garden.
If you're a fan of succession planting then this latest advice from gardening guru Monty Don will be right up your street. Saving money and making the most out of your plants is one garden trend we'll never be moving on from and it's no surprise why.
Whether you've learnt how to deadhead your plants properly or know how to take plant cuttings, finding ways to multiply or prolong the growth of your preexisting plants is an easy gardening tip every gardener should know. Collecting seeds is the newest addition to this thrifty list.
Monty Don's seed collection advice
As always Monty starts his monthly blog post with a little round-up on the weather we've been encountering over the past month and how this has affected our gardens.
"This average summer does come on the back of a particularly wet winter and spring and most people feel like they deserve a break - a few weeks of sun to bake away the dampness of all those winter months. And although us gardeners may be complaining, the garden has loved it," he says.
Whilst August hints at offering us more amiable weather, the rain has been perfect for the alluring plants in your garden. Most plants are past their blooming days and are ready to die back down for the winter in hopes of being reborn next spring. Before that happens, Monty says it's time to start collecting seeds.
A post shared by Monty Don (@themontydon)
A photo posted by on
He explains, "Growing your favourite plants from seed is easy and practically without cost and August is the time to begin collecting seeds from your garden."
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"Not only will this give you dozens of free plants for future years but also means you are collecting seeds from plants that have adapted and thrive within the particular conditions of your garden - so are best suited to growing there," adds Monty.
That's right, you can increase the amount of plants you have in your garden with no added cost. What better way to transform your garden on a budget than making use of the established species you already have?
The method for collecting is just as easy as the idea behind it, there are only a few steps to ensure you're surrounded by the best plants every garden needs for years to come.
Homebase Protect & Grip Gardening Gloves: £4 at Homebase
These gloves are perfect for seedling collecting thanks to their grip, they're made from durable materials so they'll last year after year too.
Monty says there are two ways you can do it, firstly you can either carefully cut the seed heads, upend them into A5-sized brown envelopes with seed heads included. The second way is simply placing the envelope over the seed head, sealing it and then cutting the stem off so you can store it upside down whilst intact.
"Label each envelope clearly with the date, name of the plant and, ideally, the position in the garden, and store them in a cool, dry place," he adds.
When you've collected all your seeds and have stored them for a week or two, Monty says you can sieve, clean and store them in sealed individual packets. For long-term storage, perhaps over winter, store the seeds in a plastic tub with a tight lid and keep them in the fridge.
The Gardening Book by Monty Don, £14 at Amazon
Benefit from having all of Monty's wisdom at your fingertips by buying his latest book to use like a garden manual. From growing vegetables to planting a wildflower border this book gives you the basics to grow over 100 varieties of flowers, shrubs, houseplants and more.
If you can't get enough of Monty's advice then why not give his seed-sowing tips and tricks a try? We also can't wait to make more bulb lasagnas next year for a stunning floral display to bloom in the spring.
Emily joined woman&home as a staff writer after finishing her MA in Magazine Journalism from City University in 2023. After writing various health and news content, she now specialises in lifestyle and home writing where she covers all things cleaning, interiors and homeowning.
-
How you should actually be using an LED face mask at home to get the very best results possible
Follow our experts’ advice for glowing skin…
By Emma Stoddart Published
-
Gillian Anderson's pretty pink cherry jumper has got us shopping playful knitwear for this winter
We're shopping fun knitwear after seeing Gillian Anderson's stunning cherry jumper
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
This luxurious leopard print home collection at Next is perfect for a glamourous home revival
If bold yet chic prints and colours are your thing, this collection is going to be right up your street
By Emily Smith Published
-
Sarah Raven shares her expert trick for winter-proofing your dahlias
Want your dahlias to survive the harsh winter weather? Try this simple expert-recommended gardening trick – no digging required
By Emily Smith Published
-
7 common mistakes to avoid when drying laundry indoors this winter
Are you guilty of these errors when drying your laundry indoors? Not to worry, the experts are here to help
By Emily Smith Published
-
Why is my fridge wet? Appliance experts share 4 possible reasons for the malfunction and helpful solutions
Has your fridge been leaking water and holding moisture on its walls? We asked experts for answers and solutions to combat the problem
By Emily Smith Published
-
Gardening experts share the secrets to ripening stubborn green tomatoes
Try these foolproof expert-recommended tips for ripening your green tomatoes as quickly as possible no matter how stubborn they're being
By Emily Smith Published
-
Pamela Anderson's 100-year-old farmhouse is a masterclass in wholesome interior design
The charming home is the result of an intense renovation and we couldn't be more in love with it
By Emily Smith Published
-
Are you making this common TV placement mistake? It could end up costing you hundreds in repairs
Designing the layout of your home can seem straightforward but experts reveal a key pitfall you might not be aware of
By Emily Smith Published
-
Jennifer Aniston's contemporary living room strikes the perfect balance between stylish and homely
Who said monochromatic colour palettes can't feel warm and comforting?
By Emily Smith Published