Saving and Planting Impatiens Seeds for Next Season

From Popping Pods to Blooming Beds

Collect mature impatiens seed pods over newspaper, brush away chaff, and dry seeds for a week. Store in a labeled envelope inside a pint jar with two tablespoons of dry milk powder wrapped in tissue (absorbs moisture). Seal jar and refrigerate.

Sowing in Spring

• Late April: sow seeds on sterile seed-starting mix in a shady outdoor flat.
• Press seeds gently into soil—do not cover; they need light to germinate.
• Mist daily to keep moist. Seedlings emerge in two weeks.
• Transplant to garden in late May.

Note: nursery plants will bloom much earlier. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors under fluorescent lights in March (plans at WalterReeves.com).