Seeds of Change: Harvesting and Saving for the Future
October 2025 blog
by: Mitchell Nesbitt, Nursery Manager
There’s something humbling about watching a plant reach the end of its cycle—brown seed heads swaying in the wind, pods splitting open with the weight of the season’s work. September is the month of pause and promise. The frantic energy of summer has slowed, and with it comes the invitation to reflect, to gather, and to prepare.
At Helping Nature Heal, this time of year always stirs a sense of reverence. Not just for the beauty of golds and russets showing up along the treeline, but for the quiet, persistent intelligence of nature. You see it in the way plants begin to let go—releasing seeds in subtle bursts, carried by wind, water, and wings. It’s not a dramatic exit, but a well-timed strategy for continuity.
The Quiet Power of Saving Seeds
When we talk about ecological restoration, seed saving doesn’t always get the spotlight. But in truth, it’s one of the most meaningful practices we can engage in. Each seed contains not just potential, but memory—of droughts weathered, storms survived, pollinators welcomed, and soil relationships built over time.
Collecting and preserving seeds from native and adaptive plants strengthens the resiliency of our landscapes. It ensures that what we grow next year is deeply rooted in place—genetically suited to local climate patterns, soil conditions, and wildlife needs.
And it doesn’t take much to get started. A few paper envelopes, a pair of garden gloves, and some patient observation are really all you need.
What to Watch For
This month, the shoreline goldenrod is beginning to fade to seed. Milkweed is bursting with fluff. The drying seed heads of beach pea and iris pods rattle like tiny drums. If you’re already outside walking your land or tidying up garden beds, you’re halfway there.
Here are a few tips we use at the nursery and on restoration sites:
- Collect on a fair day, when seeds are plump, mature and free of dew.
- Leave some behind—for wildlife, for regeneration, and for the unseen relationships that depend on them.
- Label carefully with the species name, date, and location.
- Air dry thoroughly before storing in paper bags or breathable envelopes.
You don’t need to be a botanist to save seeds. You just need to pay attention. Over time, you start to recognize the seeds themselves, the way they disperse, and their relationships with non-humans.
Seed Saving as Community Resilience
There’s a quiet joy in holding a handful of seeds you’ve collected yourself. It’s empowering, yes—but it’s also connective. Swapping seeds with neighbours, starting a community seed library, or simply sharing what grew well in your yard—these are small acts of solidarity with the land and with each other.
As the climate shifts and supply chains weaken, local seed networks become more than just a hobby. They become a vital piece of ecological resilience. Saving seeds means you’re investing in the future—one garden, one shoreline, one pocket of wildness at a time.
What’s Next?
As we wrap up this seed-saving season, it’s a perfect foundation for what comes next. In October, we’ll explore winter sowing—a low-cost, low-fuss way to start seeds outdoors using nature’s own cues. It’s a beautiful bridge between the seasons and one of our favourite fall practices.
Until then, happy collecting. And if you’ve got questions about identifying native seeds or storing them properly, reach out—we’re always happy to help.