Milkweed

Seed pods on milkweed at Kris Ann's house. 

 Harvest milkweed seed pods in the late summer and early fall (September to November), waiting until the pods have turned brown and started to split open along their seam, or until a gentle squeeze causes them to pop open. The seeds inside should be dark brown and leathery, not white or creamy, which indicates immaturity. If you squeeze an unopened pod and it doesn't readily pop open, the seeds are not yet ready to be harvested.