Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
(Small seeds, but easy timing and no pretreatment)

Seed Collection Time:

Late summer to early fall — typically late August through October

Signs Seeds are Ready:

• Flowers fade and dry into brown, papery calyces

• Tiny, dark nutlets (seeds) fall out when gently tapped or shaken

• Seed heads feel dry and brittle to the touch

• Plants may have a minty fragrance even when dry

Seed Collection Steps:

• Clip dried flowering stalks on a dry day using scissors or pruners

• Place them upside down in a paper bag or bin to finish drying

• Rub or shake dried heads to release the tiny seeds

• Use a fine sieve or mesh screen to clean out chaff

Germination Tips:

• No stratification required

• Seeds germinate in warm, moist soil within 1–3 weeks

• Best sown in spring or early fall (either indoors or direct)

• Store in a cool, dry place — seeds remain viable 3–5 years