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  • #1

    Poppies on wasteland

    I was just wondering what the legalities were as well as the technicalities of this.

    I've seen some gorgeous poppies in town, behind a fence on some wasteland/building site. Some of them have pods which are just crying out to me to collect them.

    I was thinking of how I might do that. I know you're not meant to pick flowers and things..but what about pods? And how would I do that for a poppy? Do I just collect the whole seed head/pod thing and dig the seeds out? Do I let them dry first?

    I might see if I can find who owns the site and ring them for permission...
    Singleton Allotments Society
    Ashford Gardeners - A gardening club (and so much more) for the greenfingered of Ashford and surrounding areas. Non-Ashfordites welcome .
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  • #2
    Sonata - I'd just lean across and pick some poppy heads. It's hard to see but if you wait until about half are gone, there will be heads from the first ones that have dried out enough to be ready. You know when they are ready as they are brown and there are holes at the top which allow the seeds to be released as the poppy shakes in the wind.

    By all means call them, I've never done so myself. I'd pretend I was just picking a few for my step daughter to draw or something like that, if I got caught. Yes, I'm a liar - but I've got a lovely collection of wild poppies at home and at the lottie!

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    • #3
      I wouldn't have a problem collecting a seed head. You'll have more plants than you can shake a stick at from one poppy head. Wait till it's completely dried on the plant though. You'll hear it rattle if you shake it gently. We used to call them 'pepper pots' as kids. If you're squeamish though, don't shake the seeds into your hand - shake them first onto paper. You can get the odd little spider or ear-wig hiding in the seed pod.
      Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

      www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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      • #4
        Thanks ladies!

        Hmm, the only trouble is they're quite a bit beyond the fence. I do have a handy toddler to use for excuses..but I need a Go-go Gadget arm to reach them. Or a giant pair of..chopsticks? Lol.

        Heads still green at the mo, so I shall wait. And plot.
        Singleton Allotments Society
        Ashford Gardeners - A gardening club (and so much more) for the greenfingered of Ashford and surrounding areas. Non-Ashfordites welcome .

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        • #5
          Your allowed to pick wild berries, so can't see why not for poppies. Plus if its wasteland I doubt the owner even cares tbh

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          • #6
            Wait until the seed heads have turned brown(ish) the seeds(shake the seed head into a container) will be ready then.
            By all means pick them though.
            As for sowing scatter the seeds in October/November on open ground & lightly till the soil the following march.
            I have found poppies grow better if the seeds are left out over winter.
            Poppies grow better on freshly tilled soil

            PS I still have a jam jar of poppy seeds from last year.
            Last edited by bubblewrap; 16-06-2009, 01:54 PM.
            The river Trent is lovely, I know because I have walked on it for 18 years.
            Brian Clough

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            • #7
              If you mix the seeds with DRY sand it makes them easier to sow as the seeds are very very small
              The river Trent is lovely, I know because I have walked on it for 18 years.
              Brian Clough

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              • #8
                Wait until you see a dude walking round with a turban making little cuts in the poppy heads. Then they're ready.
                A simple dude trying to grow veg. http://haywayne.blogspot.com/

                BLOG UPDATED! http://haywayne.blogspot.com/2012/01...ar-demand.html 30/01/2012

                Practise makes us a little better, it doesn't make us perfect.

                What would Vedder do?

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by HeyWayne View Post
                  Wait until you see a dude walking round with a turban making little cuts in the poppy heads. Then they're ready.
                  Oh! you been watching me!?
                  The river Trent is lovely, I know because I have walked on it for 18 years.
                  Brian Clough

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