There are several sure indicators you'll see when poppy seeds are ready for harvesting. First, the plump, upright seed capsules should be fully dry. Holes should have opened up immediately below the neat little disk that tops the capsule. The final sign is a free rattling of the seeds within the capsule when it is shaken gently.

You can harvest the capsules by cutting them off carefully and depositing them into a paper bag, that can then be stored in a dry, dark, cool place until you're ready to extract the seeds. This is done by upending each capsule and shaking it, as you would a salt shaker, over a clean, dry container. ~ Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes

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