Q: I’ve got two beds of mixed impatiens and want to gather seed to sow next spring. Is there any particular method?

A: Yes, you can snip off the swollen seed pods now and place them in an envelope for next year. Be careful as you remove them, the tightly coiled impatiens pods spring outward and scatter their seeds at the slightest touch. Store the envelope in a cool, dry, dark spot. When the soil is warm in late April, till your impatiens bed and scatter the seed on top. Pat them into place with your hand; do not cover them. Impatiens seed need sunlight on them in order to germinate. Keep the soil damp and they should sprout in a couple of weeks. They will be in flower by mid-June.