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Alright, let’s talk about gettin’ them poppy seeds for plantin’, you know? It ain’t rocket science, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to do things, just like bakin’ a pie. You don’t wanna mess it up, or you won’t get no flowers next year.
First off, you gotta wait ’til them poppies bloom, see? They got them pretty flowers in the spring, all red and showy-like. But you ain’t lookin’ at the flowers now, you’re waitin’ for the seeds. Patience is key, just like waitin’ for the bread to rise.
So, after them flowers are gone, the seed pods start to grow. They look like little green balls at first, then they turn kinda yellowish, and finally brown. That’s when you know it’s almost time. You gotta wait ’til they’re good and dry, like an old corn cob in the fall.
- Wait for the flowers to fade.
- Watch the seed pods turn from green to yellow to brown.
- Make sure the pods are dry and the seeds rattle inside.
Now, when them pods are brown and dry, and you shake ’em and hear them seeds rattlin’ around inside, that’s the perfect time. Don’t go pickin’ ’em when they’re still green, ’cause the seeds ain’t ready yet. It’s like pickin’ an apple before it’s ripe, all sour and no good.
I usually cut the stems right below the seed pod with my little garden shears. Be careful though, don’t go cuttin’ yourself. Them stems can be kinda tough sometimes. Just snip, snip, and you’re done. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Then, I take them pods and put ’em in a paper bag. Some folks use a bucket or somethin’, but I like a paper bag. Keeps ’em dry and lets ’em breathe. You don’t want them seeds gettin’ all moldy, now do ya? That’d be a waste, and nobody likes wastin’ nothin’.
I leave them bags in a dry place for a few weeks, let them pods dry out even more. The drier they are, the easier it is to get the seeds out. You can put ’em in the shed or the garage, or even in a spare room in the house. Just make sure they’re outta the rain and the sun.
Once they’re good and dry, it’s time to get them seeds out. I just crumble up them pods in my hands, right over a big bowl. The seeds fall right out, and you can pick out the bigger pieces of pod. It’s a bit messy but it gets the job done. Some folks use a sieve or somethin’, but I find my hands work just fine.
Now, you got your poppy seeds, all ready for plantin’. But you gotta store ’em right, or they won’t be no good next year. I put mine in a jar, a glass jar with a tight lid. Keeps ’em dry and keeps the bugs out. You can use a plastic baggie too, I guess, but I like a jar better.
Keep that jar in a cool, dark place, like your pantry or cellar. Don’t put it in the sun, or them seeds will get too hot. And don’t put it in a damp place, or they’ll get moldy. Just find a nice, cool, dark spot and leave ’em be ’til plantin’ time.
Come spring, you can plant them seeds, and you’ll get a whole new batch of poppies. It’s like a little miracle, every year. Just remember what I told ya, and you’ll be harvestin’ poppy seeds like a pro in no time. And you know, poppy seeds ain’t just for plantin’, they’re good in bread and cakes too. But that’s a whole ‘nother story for another day.
So, that’s the long and short of it. Harvestin’ poppy seeds ain’t hard, but you gotta do it right. Wait for them pods to dry, cut ’em careful, and store them seeds proper. And you’ll have plenty of poppies next year, pretty as you please.
Tags: Poppy Seeds, Poppy Seed Harvest, How-to, Garden Tips, Growing Poppies
