Removal of insects and drying of the seeds will suffice for some species. Others, especially all bean family species, should be frozen overnight to stop further predation. Timing of seed collection is important. Some species, such as partridge pea, disperse their seeds violently, flinging them away from the parent plant. These must be collected just prior to maturity.
Many ripe seeds are attractive to birds, insects, and mammals.
Seed collection sites should be inspected weekly during the harvest season. Do not harvest sites that appear to have been previously harvested. Harvesting Methods Many fruits or seeds will have to be harvested by hand, picked one at a time from the plants or stripped off of inflorescences. Sometimes an open container, such as a bag or box can be held under a plant to catch falling fruits while the plant is shaken or beaten. Seeds need to breathe.