Deadheading

• 1). Look for plants in your garden that have already bloomed or whose flowers are brown. Most perennial and annual bedding plants get a second flush of bloom after the spent flowers are removed.
  
  
• 2). Locate the buds that are below the flower's head. These buds will bloom after the spent flower is removed.
  
  
• 3). Snip the head off just above the buds with a pair of gardening scissors or a sharp knife. Remove all the heads in this way to promote a second flowering.
  
  

Seed Collecting

• 1). Collect seeds from plants like black-eyed susans, cosmos, daisies, marigolds, sunflowers and sweet williams. Wait until the flowers are brown and dry. Some flowers will become fluffy when dry.
  
  
• 2). Remove the spent flower heads. Place your thumb and pointer finger around the base of the flower head and pinch the flower off. Place flower heads into a bowl.
  
  
• 3). Crush the flower heads in your hand. Remove the seeds by picking them out from the center of the crushed flower with your fingers.
  
  
• 4). Spread the seeds out on a newspaper to dry for two to three weeks. Make sure the seeds are fully dry then place them into airtight containers or envelopes. Label them with a marker and store in a dry place until needed.