Harvesting the garden can also mean planning for next year’s
Maine Gardeners Get Ready for Fall Harvest and Seed‑Swap Gatherings
As September slips into the calendar, many Maine gardeners are shifting from summer’s bounty to the next season’s preparation. Harvesting is now a priority, but for those who want to keep their favorite plants growing year after year, a number of seed‑saving tips and local events have emerged to help.
A Harvest Season in Transition
The summer may officially end on September 22, but for many residents the long, hot stretch feels like it’s already behind. With the first frost likely within a month, gardeners are cutting down tomatoes, harvesting dahlias, and turning in amaryllis to the dark corners of the basement. “It’s a time of enjoyment and also of planning,” notes one local gardener, who keeps her family’s kitchen filled with fresh tomatoes and, more recently, miniature white pumpkins.
Last year the pumpkins turned a little soft, prompting the gardener to cut one open and collect its seeds. A quick search identified the variety as “Casperita,” a rare white pumpkin that can be grown from seed the following spring. The gardener now plans to keep the seeds in a cool, dry spot and to try again in 2027.
Saving Seeds: What Works and What Doesn’t
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and the New Hampshire Cooperative Extension have both published guidance on which seeds can be saved successfully. Key points include:
- Hybrids – Seeds from hybrid plants are not reliable; they won’t produce plants identical to the parent or to each other.
- Self‑pollinating – Plants such as peas, beans, tomatoes, and peppers produce seeds that will grow into the same type of plant the next year.
- Cross‑pollinating – Squash, cucumbers, and corn can produce varied offspring unless only one variety is grown. Mixing different varieties increases genetic variation.
When it comes to the method of saving:
- Wet seeds (tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, melons, eggplant) are soaked in a jar of water. The mixture ferments, the seeds sink, and the liquid is then drained. The seeds are rinsed, dried, and stored in a cool place.
- Dry seeds (peas, beans) should be harvested once pods turn brown. The pods are left to dry inside for a few weeks, then the seeds are stored dry, away from heat and moisture, and inspected regularly for mold.
Wildflowers and herbs are best collected once the plants have browned.
The gardener has a long tradition of saving gladiolus bulbs—digging, drying in a shed for a week, then storing in a cellar. Dahlia tubers are also harvested after the first frost, dried, wrapped, and kept in the basement. Last year the gardener lost more dahlia tubers than usual, prompting a change in storage technique: she plans to cover them with sawdust or peat moss instead of newspaper to protect against moisture.
Community Seed‑Swap Events
Maine growers can meet with fellow seed savers at two upcoming gatherings:
- MOFGA Seed‑Swap & Scion Exchange – March 21, 2027, noon‑to‑4 p.m., Common Ground Education Center in Unity. (The first expected snow date is April 4.) More information is available at mofga.org.
- Maine Audubon Society Seed Exchange – November 21, 2026, 10 a.m.–noon, 216 Fields Pond Road in Holden. Details can be found at maineaudubon.org.
Both events provide a chance to exchange seeds, learn best practices, and connect with a local gardening community that values sustainability and biodiversity.
Native Plant Workshops
For those interested in native‑plant gardening, Skillins Greenhouses is offering a series of classes on September 18‑20 2026. The workshops, scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on the 18th in Cumberland, 10:30 a.m. on the 19th in Falmouth, and 11:30 a.m. on the 20th in Brunswick, cover topics from soil preparation to plant selection. Registration opens now and can be completed via skillins.com.
Preparing for the First Frost
The gardener advises keeping weeds under control and staying on top of the harvest. “We’re close to the first frost, so the effort is worth it,” she says. She also reminds readers that amaryllis should be stored in a dark, cool spot to die back naturally, and then re‑introduced in 8‑10 weeks once the garden has had a chance to rest.
A Season of Learning
As the leaves begin to turn, Maine’s gardening community is busy collecting, storing, and sharing seeds for a greener tomorrow. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or a weekend grower, the upcoming seed‑swap events, workshops, and proven seed‑saving techniques offer plenty of opportunities to learn and to ensure that the garden’s best plants continue to thrive for years to come.
