How to extract these seeds?

Hello there

I'm a first time gardener this year. My husband and I are having great fun learning as we go along. Could anyone help us with this dilema. We bought some seeds and threw them in a pot in the spring. They have come up lovely but we have no idea what they are....but we've noticed that now some of the flowers are dying off they have left behind a cluster of green things that look like the seeds we planted out the packet. Here is a pic of the cluster of seed things...


Can we pick the head now and dry them out to use next year? Or do we have to wait until they dry out themselves still planted?

We would like to seed these again next year but have no idea how. Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks guys x

 

Looks a bit like pot marigold.

Leave it on the plant until it starts to go brown, then cut the stem off and put it in a paper bag in a warm place.
The seed will drop out and you can save it till next year in an envelope.

 

Hi Lidders. - seem to have crossed with you Pete.

Its best to leave the seed heads on the plant as long as possible to allow them to mature naturally. If you take them off too early - it is possible that they may never mature. However if you see any seed falling out on its own - they are mature and need to be collected and put in a paper bag, or an open container to completely dry out. Don't put them in a polybag, as they may stay damp and rot.

The exact point of removing the head is always a bit of a balancing act. Too early and they may not be mature and too late and they may have all dispersed. However you can take some off now and some later. Immature seeds are pale in colour and can be squashed. Mature seeds are darker in colour and harder.

 

Thanks everyone!! Your answers have really helped. We are going to take your advice and will keep you posted as to how we get on. This gardening lark is pretty exciting!!

 

Thats fantastic! My husband and I are fairly young and non of our friends are into gardening so this forum has been really helpful already.

You guys are great! x