Saving seed from chives

[mgb245]

Last year I took a chive plant that I had growing in a container on the deck and broke it into three pieces and transplanted all three into my herb garden,(about 15'X20'). The plants are now 3 feet tall and covered with flowers. The flowers have faded to a dull purple/grey. Is it best cut and hang the faded flowers upside down in a bag and collect the seeds as they get ripe and fall out or let the seeds ripen on the plant?

[mtmickey]

leave the seeds on the plant until they are ready

[madonnaswimmer]

how do you know when they are ready, so you can get them before it's too late (I.e., before they drop to the ground on their own)?

[rainbowgardener]

The seed head will be all brown and you can see the seeds:

[img]https://www.nikkiartwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/chive_seedheads_01sm.jpg[/img]