When Beauty Deceives

This Year's Surprising Prairie Seed Harvest

September 24, 2025- by Diana Pierce

Wild lupine created false hope for seed collectors who discovered they produced mostly empty pods. Photo: Diana Pierce

Sometimes nature's most stunning displays mask her greatest disappointments. Across Minnesota's restored prairies this year, the most gorgeous blooms yielded the scarcest seeds—a lesson in reading beyond surface beauty.

When Rain Doesn't Equal Riches

"Rain makes you think everything will be bountiful," reflects Angela Grill, wildlife biologist with Three Rivers Park District, surveying volunteers bent over collection bags. "But it hasn't been the case for every species."

After years of drought, 2025's generous rains transformed the landscape in unexpected ways. Those spectacular lupine displays that stopped visitors in their tracks? They told a misleading story. When harvest time arrived, collectors found pod after pod nearly empty.

"Usually, we gather hundreds of gallons," Angela explains. "This year it was closer to 20."

Volunteers learn to identify viable seeds by touch. Photo; Diana Pierce

The wet conditions created contradictions throughout the prairie. While moisture-loving species thrived, dry-site plants struggled. Timing shifted dramatically, with some flowers maturing weeks early, forcing collectors to abandon planned schedules.

"That's what makes seed collecting exciting—every year is different," Angela says. "The prairie keeps us on our toes."

Persistence Through Uncertainty

Under big skies, volunteers find purpose in collection work, even when yields disappoint. Photo: Three Rivers Park District

Despite nature's curveballs, volunteers continue spreading across Three Rivers' prairies each fall. By midsummer, Angela's calendar was packed with requests from schools and community groups—testament to growing interest that transcends any single season's harvest.

Angela Grill leading a training session before searching for seeds. Photo: Diana Pierce

Every newcomer begins with hands-on orientation from Angela, learning to distinguish species and recognize plants that might look promising but won't yield viable seeds. Then they explore—this year with added challenges of reading the prairie's mixed signals.

For over 50 years, Three Rivers has championed prairie restoration. Leading volunteer groups over recent seasons, Angela finds joy in their enthusiasm. "I see the smiles on their faces—they're connecting with the prairie, they love it, and they'll pass that love on. The seeds are a bonus, but these experiences? They're priceless."

That connection drives veterans like Cathy E., who's attended multiple collecting sessions over the years as a volunteer. "I saw the prairie and wildflowers, and I was hooked.” She paused as she reflected, “And the views… I like to pretend I'm not in the city."

From Field to Future Gardens

Free seed packets for volunteers feature proven performers for home gardens. Photo: Diana Pierce

Not every collected seed returns directly to prairie restoration. About ten percent fills free packets distributed at programs, containing species that performed well despite challenging conditions. Angela calls them "a piece of the prairie you can take home"—this year carrying special significance as representatives of climate resilience.

Each bag represents both challenge and opportunity in an unpredictable growing season. Photo: Three Rivers Park District

Processing the Unexpected

Controlled environments become crucial when field conditions produce variable results. Photo: Three Rivers Park District

The processing operation, located at Crow-Hassen Park, reveals this year's unusual patterns. While lupines disappointed, other species surprised with unexpected abundance. Processing teams now test viability more rigorously and adjust storage for potentially less robust seeds.

Lessons in Prairie Patience

Prairies once covered 18 million acres across Minnesota; less than one percent remains. This year's harvest teaches that restoration requires not just dedication, but adaptability to climate variability.

"The prairie is a teacher," Angela says. "When people discover that gorgeous lupine blooms might produce no viable seeds, they're learning something profound about resilience."

Looking Forward

As the collecting season continues, volunteers carry new wisdom about climate complexity and ecosystem resilience. They've learned that beautiful blooms don't guarantee abundant harvests, but meaningful conservation work continues regardless.

Simple tools, complex lessons. Photo: Diana Pierce

In an era of environmental change, adaptability while maintaining commitment may be the most valuable skill of all.

This fall, volunteers continue their quiet work—gathering not just seeds, but stories of resilience that will inform restoration for seasons to come. They've learned that beauty sometimes deceives, but restoration endures, one handful at a time.

Join the Experience

Ready to discover what lies beneath prairie beauty? The final seed collection sessions of 2025 offer chances to learn firsthand about this year's surprising harvest:

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

• Thursday, October 2nd

• Saturday, October 4th

• Tuesday, October 7th

• 
  

All sessions run 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Follow this link to make a reservation.

Come see for yourself why volunteers like Cathy return season after season, and why Angela believes the real harvest isn't measured in gallons of seed, but in moments of connection with Minnesota's most endangered ecosystem.

#BloomWithMe

Diana

P.S. My 2026 Flower Calendar is almost ready!

The proof copy looks wonderful and the first print run should be completed soon.

If YOU would like a Diana Pierce 2026 Flower Calendar of your own, email me back for details!

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