Getting carrot seeds from carrot tops is a process that requires patience, as carrots are biennial plants, meaning they produce seeds in their second year of growth.
To collect seeds, you need to allow the carrot plant to grow through its first season, overwinter, and then grow into its second year. During the second year, the plant will focus its energy on producing a flower stalk, which will eventually develop into seeds.
The Process of Collecting Carrot Seeds
According to experts, the key is timing. You must wait for the right moment after the plant has flowered.
Here's a breakdown of the steps involved:
- Overwinter the Carrot Plant: After the first year's growth (when you would typically harvest the root), leave some healthy carrot plants in the ground. They need to survive the winter to produce seeds in the spring/summer of the second year.
- Allow Flowering in the Second Year: In their second year, the plants will send up tall stalks topped with clusters of small white flowers (umbels). These are the seed heads.
- Wait for Seed Maturity: Do not collect the seeds immediately after flowering. The reference states, "Once the tops have flowered, then turned brown, you can collect the tiny seeds." This browning indicates that the seeds have matured and dried on the plant.
- Collect the Seeds: Carefully cut the brown, dry seed heads from the plant stalks.
- Dry the Seeds: Even though they are collected when dry on the plant, it's a good idea to let the seed heads dry further indoors in a cool, dry location for a week or two. You can place them in a paper bag or on a screen.
- Extract and Store Seeds: Once fully dry, gently rub the seed heads between your hands or against a screen to release the tiny seeds. Separate the seeds from the chaff (plant debris). Store the cleaned seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a paper envelope or glass jar, until you are ready to sow them.
When to Sow Your Collected Seeds
The reference advises to "sow them the following year in early spring." This means after collecting and storing your seeds over the late summer, fall, and winter, you can plant them in your garden the next spring when conditions are suitable for carrot germination.
In summary, getting carrot seeds from tops involves allowing the plant to complete its biennial cycle, waiting for the seed heads to flower and then turn brown, collecting these dry heads, drying them further, and finally extracting and storing the small seeds for future planting.
