Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Seed Collection Time:

Late August through October — after flowering finishes in mid-summer

Signs seeds are ready:

• Flower heads turn completely brown and dry.

• Seeds (tiny nutlets) are dark, firm, and fall out easily when shaken.

• Heads feel brittle to the touch.

Seed collection steps:

• Clip dried flower heads and place them in a paper bag to finish drying.

• After a week, rub the heads gently to release seeds.

• Separate chaff from seeds using a screen or by blowing away debris.

Germination tip:

• Seeds benefit from 30–60 days of cold stratification for improved germination.

• Sow in fall or stratify in a moist medium in the fridge before spring sowing.

• Lightly press into soil — they require light to germinate.

• Germination usually occurs in 2–4 weeks once temperatures warm.