carrot seeds when to harvest

[Steph S]

I ended up with a Mokum F1 carrot that survived both the winter and the digging of the bed, so I stuck it in a pot and let flower for seeds.

Now at season end I have this plant covered in clusters at the basket stage, but the seeds are still green and no signs of turning brown although they've been fully grown for some time.

I had moose come through on a rampage and ate most of my gailan seed crop as well as pulling and tossing the carrots among other things, so I was glad the carrot seed wasn't touched.  I would like to just cut and bag the seeds if they're done, or do I have to wait longer until they turn brown.  I brought the plant into the greenhouse after the moose went through, and stopped watering, couple days ago but the seeds are still green.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[William Schlegel]

I've always harvested them brown. As a rule of thumb some viability begins at the equivalent of milk stage. So they could already have some viability. Best to dry them on the plant as long as possible. With a carrot you could try pulling the carrot and letting the whole plant dry upside down for awhile.