To Harvest Poppy Seeds

To save seed for the next season, dry them for a couple of weeks in an open container. Then pour the seed into a glass container with a tight fitting lid. Culinary seeds will retain flavor for up to a year if the container is stored in a cool, dry, dark location. Seed for growing should be planted the following year for best results. Sow seeds in late fall or very early spring. Cover seeds with a very find sift of soil, since poppy seeds require light to germinate. Germination will occur in 2 to 4 weeks. Seedlings are cold hardy and should be thinned to 4 to 6 inches apart (1.6 to 2.4 cm.). Seeds can also be sown indoors 4 to 5 weeks before the date of the last frost and transplanted, but be warned, poppies do not transplant well and some failure of the crop should be expected. Once seedlings are established, they need occasional watering but are a fairly self-sufficient flower. Enjoy their nodding brightly colored blooms and charming seed pods until it is time for the next harvest.