COLLECT AND STORE SEEDHEADS

August is a great time to gather seedheads. I started doing this a couple of years ago and it really is an enjoyable and economical project that takes no time at all. Collect them on a dry day, after a period of dry weather. Start off with easy-to-grow flowers such as poppies, cornflowers and Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’.  Poppy seeds should rattle when ready Check specifics of collecting for other plants, but as a rough guide they are normally ready two months after flowering.

 Always place dry seeds directly into a paper envelope or bag and write on it which seeds they are and the date you picked them. Store in a dry, cool place. Avoid storing seeds in polythene bags, which trap moisture and encourage mould.