Hello Lauren,

Thank you or reaching out to the EMG helpline! Your project sounds fun! 

To answer your questions, the seeds should be removed from the pods. The seeds will need to be soaked in water before planting and this can be a little more effective if you first scarify the seeds. There are a few ways to scarify seeds, but considering your volume, the easiest might be to shake the seeds in a jar half-filled with coarse sand or placing them in a rock tumbler for a few hours. After scarification, they can be soaked in water. One approach is to soak them in hot water until the water has cooled, approximately 3 hours. Another option is to soak them in water overnight. The seeds have absorbed enough water once they sink and are ready to be sown. Any that do not sink may be dried, scarified, and soaked in water again. You can direct sow now or transplant after your last frost date. Direct sowing might be fastest, but transplanting starts might help to give them an easier start with competing vegetation in the area where you're planting them. The seeds should keep for some time, so don't sweat it if you don't get all of them planted this year. 

Please let us know if you have any other questions and I'd love to hear how it turns out!