Learning how to save broccoli seeds is important for any sustainable gardener. And for many gardeners, now is the time to harvest their broccoli. But if you want to practice sustainable gardening, you’ll want to allow one plant to remain un-harvested. Why?
Broccoli flowers
Because broccoli won’t provide you with seeds to collect until after it flowers–and if you’re harvesting your broccoli to consume, you’re eating potential flowers and thus, potential seed pods. Those seed pods are the treasure trove you’re looking for!
Where Do Broccoli Seeds Form?
Broccoli seeds are hidden in the pods that form after the yellow blooms “bolt” from your broccoli heads. Basically, if you allow your broccoli to “bolt” or go to flower, the next step is the formation of seed pods. You can see them in the photo below, beginning to plump as they form.
Broccoli seed pods are forming
But these aren’t quite ready to harvest, yet. You need to allow them to fully develop before attempting to harvest. For example, the above pod photo was taken during the month of February. The image below was taken in April, giving you some idea of the time required for these pods to form. You can’t rush Mother Nature. (She gets a bit itchy when you do.) First the flowers, and eventually the pods. Mind you, this process takes months, but it’s worth the wait knowing you can achieve sustainability.
Broccoli seed pods
How to Harvest Broccoli Seeds
For easier harvest, pull the entire plant from the soil and allow the pods to dry on the stalk. The kicker is how to get them out of the pod without destroying them. Broccoli seeds are quite tiny. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to recognize them when I see them. I mean, what if I mistake them for bits of dirt?
It’s possible. And from the various sources I’ve checked, it seems your first task is to save the pods, allow them to dry, then “pound” them open to get the seeds. Pound them? That sounds so harsh! How will this not crush the seeds? Perhaps I can “pry” them open and allow the seeds to tumble out into my awaiting seed packet. Better yet, how about I lay them out on white paper so that I can see the little fellas! (Old eyes need all the help they can get.)
Lay broccoli pods on white paper to collect seeds.
Ah… There they are! Rather than pound them out, I decided to twist open the pods, much like I do with my bean pods. Seems so much more humane, not to mention EASY. Besides, the pods are nice and crispy dry making the twist method and effective one.
Broccoli pods and seeds
Just look at those little beauties! Remember, these are very tiny so this photo may be deceiving. Be sure your work space is conducive to working with broccoli pods (translated: an area where you won’t lose them if they roll off your paper–which they might do!) Then, with your awaiting seed packet, fold the paper and roll them in…
Saving broccoli seeds
Ta-da! You’ve saved your broccoli seeds! How cool is that? Now mark your packet with all the pertinent details like where you harvested them and when and of course what type of seeds along with which variety! You can make your own custom seed-saving packets by using my template found here.
Another way to remove the seeds is to place your broccoli stalks in a paper bag and shake the little darling out. Unfortunately, I found this method to be problematic as I lost a bunch of seeds to the folds and crevices in the paper bag.
Thanks for the information and photos – very helpful! We were wondering what was going on with our broccoli plant and now I know that we are at the new pod stage.
VERY exciting, isn’t it? You’re about to harvest hundreds of broccoli seeds!
Now it all makes sense. Thank you so much.
just like radishes!
Yes! Saving seeds is fun and critical component to sustainable gardening.
My pods are still on plants in the garden and are still soft. Can I remove plant, hang to dry since pods are not dried yet?
Removing them before the pods turn brown will reduce viability of the seeds. In nature, the pods turn brown, dry out, then split open, depositing seeds onto the soil below where they will sprout anew. You can remove now, but might reduce yield. It’s best to wait until your pods turn light brown and then remove.
How many seeds per pod do you guess?
I would say approximately 50 seeds per pod.
Can broccoli seeds be harvested even after there has been a frost??
Is each flower a pod? Thanks for the video.
Yes, basically. And each pod will produce at least a dozen or more seeds. Make sure the host plant—the one “going to flower”—is an heirloom variety. If it’s a hybrid, the seeds will not reproduce the same plant.
Is it the same for broccolini? We have a plant that has gone to bloom and would like to harvest the seeds for planting next season. Thanks. Tracy
P.s. we are in Mesa Arizona
4 years later, and your post is still relevant!
My broccoli came up as volunteers from my chicken coop so I don’t know if it’s a hybrid or an heirloom. Is it still worth harvesting those seeds? I have a lot !
That is exactly the information I was looking for! Thank you so much!
My broccoli bolted beginning of March, and then I left the flowers, because bees started showing up. Now I know where those seeds will be hiding. I’ll give it a few more weeks, before those plants have to make way for my next crop of summer plants.