Collecting Poppy Seeds

[Novice Gardener]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but I just wondered how I go about collecting the seeds from my poppys? The flowers died off about a week or two ago, but the seed heads still look fairly green. Do I wait for them to dry out and turn brown, or is it ok to cut the stems down now? The bed where they grow is looking a bit untidy so I'm keen to get it cleared and re-planted with some colour for the rest of the summer, but I'd also like to save the seeds from my poppys as they were really lovely this year.

[Cloud]

Wait for them to go brown then tie a paper bag over them as the seed head bursts,and collect seeds once the pods have burst.Mr Brown Thumb: When I Collect Poppy Seeds

[Two_Sheds]

Just like Cloud says.
I'm trying to weed out all my insipid mauve ones, and just keeping the dark pinks and reds for seed.

[Snadger]

Wait for them to go brown then tie a paper bag over them as the seed head bursts,and collect seeds once the pods have burst.Mr Brown Thumb: When I Collect Poppy Seeds

Could be worse..........could be mister brown nose!

[bubblewrap]

Wait for them to go brown then tie a paper bag over them as the seed head bursts,and collect seeds once the pods have burst.Mr Brown Thumb: When I Collect Poppy Seeds

That's all very well but I have over 100 seed heads I usually wait till the little holes appear in the top of the heads & then harvest the seeds(I still have half a jam jar from last year)

[sunflower]

I have just been given a load of poppy seeds from my friend. The poppies I have growing in the garden, when the pod is ready I just give them a shake over the soil. However, with these new seeds, do you think I should shake them now over the part where I want a wildlife garden in amongst the grass, or should I wait until next spring to forcast them?

[lynda66]

However, with these new seeds, do you think I should shake them now over the part where I want a wildlife garden in amongst the grass, or should I wait until next spring to forcast them?

the poppy seed packet i have says sow in september for flowering next july august, or plant mid march/may for flowering mid july/september.

but if you have seeds now then it must be ok to sow them now, nature knows best

[sunflower]

Thanks for the info Lynda66...the next question is, when is everyone else sowing their poppy seeds? I want to go along with the crowd !!!

[bubblewrap]

Poppy seeds can remain dormant for a few years and germinate better on newly tilled ground.