Harvesting for seed?

[sstolzenburgStudent]

I have a very nice crop of calendula, and I would like to grow the same next year, so rather than overwintering the plants, I want to turn up the soil and re-plant either in the fall or early spring. How do I know when the dead flowers are ready to harvest for seed. I have waited tool long in some cases and found the seeds on the ground, but I do not want to pick too early and then the seeds are too immature to sprout. Is there something to look for to give me a sign that they are mature enough without them just falling off the pod? Can I just pluck long stems and let them dry out after the pedals have fallen off and the disk florets have popped out? At that point they are still green so I am not sure if they are ready? I obviously don’t know anything about asters. :confused:

[IdahoHerbalist]

First of all calendula is an annual, not a perennial.

When to harvest seed: the seed should not be green. I should be tan to brown and starting to loosen in the seed head. If you have ever harvested raspberries this will sound familiar: if the seed readily falls away from the head when touched, it is ready.

If you want to grow in the same bed again next year, why would you not let the seed just fall to the ground?

[sstolzenburgStudentTopic Author]

I wanted to harvest the seed because I want to till the soil before planting. But I get the idea.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

No reason too till it up. It will self seed like crazy.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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