Re-cap on the previous seed saving discussion and Dano’s in the shot (he makes me smile)!
Letting Cilantro Bolt | Seed Saving & Pollinator Benefits in the Greenhouse | JDK Ranchette
In this short and sweet 90-second video, I take you inside our off-grid greenhouse to share why I intentionally let my cilantro plant bolt and go to seed in our sunny window box.
This was no gardening mishap—it was a purposeful step toward building sustainability here at the ranch. I share the two main reasons behind this decision: To invite pollinators into the greenhouse by letting the cilantro bloom (cilantro flowers are a favorite of beneficial insects like hoverflies and bees!).
To collect and save seeds for future planting—one more way we’re working toward self-sufficiency and closing the loop in our garden cycle. You’ll see how I dried the plant in place, pulled it by the roots, trimmed the branches, and shook out the seeds into the lid of a seed-starting kit—no fancy tools required! A simple kitchen colander helped separate the chaff from the seeds for easy, no-cost storage and reuse.
Seed-Saving Tip: Let cilantro fully dry before harvesting to ensure seeds store well. Store in a cool, dark place in a paper envelope or glass jar.
Pollinator Tip: Flowering cilantro attracts tiny wasps, bees, and hoverflies—nature’s pest control crew!