If you've got gardening questions you'd like me to answer next season, email me at dylan.kulik@interlochen.org.
Tip 1: Choose the right time to harvest
🌻 Black-eyed Susans are tough little flowers — native, hardy and well-suited for northern Michigan’s growing zone. You might’ve even noticed them blooming in front of Interlochen Public Radio.
Right now, their seeds are dry and ready to be saved.
We’re looking for stems that are dry and gray — no fresh petals. The stems should snap instead of bend, and the flower tops should be black and crispy.
Tip 2: Collect the seeds
- Break off the black flower tops
- Rough them up with your fingers
- Let the tiny seeds fall into a paper bag or onto a cloth
You'll get lots of chaff and several seeds, too — they almost look like the little hairs that stick to your neck after a haircut. You'll get plenty of seeds from just a few flowers — more than enough to plant a new patch or share with friends.
Make sure you're getting seeds from Rudbeckia hirta; other varieties of hybridized Black-eyed Susans might not produce viable seeds.
Tip 3: Store or sow — your choice
So, what now?
🌬️ You can sow your seeds right away, mimicking how nature does it — scattered by a strong breeze to land wherever the soil is welcoming.
Or, you can wait just a little longer, until about early November:
- Store them in a paper bag once they’re fully dry
- Rustle the bag every so often to keep air circulating
- Refrigerate for a higher germination rate
- Plant them just before snow falls for a natural cold stratification
Of course, you can also just pop 'em in your refrigerator and wait until spring to sow them.
Tip 4: Don’t overthink it
Worried about doing it wrong? Don’t be.
Remember, these plants evolved to succeed here. They do well in our climate, and they don’t need much fuss. Try a mix of approaches and see what works:
- Tend a small patch you can water regularly
- Scatter some freely and let nature take over
Either way, odds are good that you’ll see at least a few blooms come next summer.
Why it matters: Growing and sharing
It's been a joy to grow and share with you all season; I love the name Grow & Tell — because that’s what I do. If you have dried seeds, or fresh tomatoes, or anything from your garden — share it. You never know who you might inspire.
We'll be back on the radio next spring with the start of a new growing season. 🌼
