I've tried for several years to get the seeds out of a dried coneflower head BUT always find it just too painful. The seeds are packed so densely that it's like handling a large sandspur! I haven't resorted to using a hammer to break the conehead OR pliers to pull the seeds out. Should I just leave the dried heads on the plant for the winter birds to feed on?

I have been planting Coneflower seeds for years. I plant the entire dried head in the fall. Then in the early early Spring, rake through the area where the seed head was planted to distribute the seeds. I have had great luck doing it this way. Every year I have hundreds of new starts. I do a lot a sharing!!

Tjh1949 said:I have been planting Coneflower seeds for years. I plant the entire dried head in the fall. Then in the early early Spring, rake through the area where the seed head was planted to distribute the seeds. I have had great luck doing it this way. Every year I have hundreds of new starts. I do a lot a sharing!!

That is something I have never thought to do (and I've also struggled to get the seeds out, assuming I get to the cones before they've all been picked out by the birds). Brilliant -- and acorn-worthy, IMO

Welcome to NGA, @Tjh1949 !

Indeed, BRILLIANT response and one I'd never thought of. Thanks for such a quick reply. I'm excited to see if I have similar results.