How to Harvest Sunflower Seeds

Sunflowers are one of the most recognized flowers in North America. The edible seeds of the sunflower are also a favorite snack. Part of the joy of raising sunflowers is harvesting the seeds. The process is very easy, and the results are delicious.

Instructions

1. Start harvesting sunflower seeds around the third week of September. A sure sign that it is time to harvest the seeds is when the back of the sunflower turns brown and the head starts to curl. The petals will fall off and the seeds will have black stripes on them.

2. Early harvest of seeds is accomplished with some muscle and utilizing the oven to dry the sunflower seeds. Remove the heads from the sunflower when the back of the flower is a light yellow color. Use a towel to rub the seeds into a bowl. Soak the seeds overnight in a solution of a quarter cup salt mixed with one quart of water. Spread seeds on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 200 degrees for three hours.

3. Sunflower seeds can also be dried while still on the head. Cut the heads off the plant. Use the sunflower stem to hang the heads in a garage or shed. Place a bag over the heads to catch seeds as they fall. To prevent mold and encourage drying, poke holes in the bag to keep the seeds ventilated.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to harvest the sunflower seeds as soon as possible. If the seeds are left outside too long, birds and other small animals will enjoy the tasty snacks as the seeds fall to the ground.

• Using a towel to remove the seeds will save the harvester from getting blisters from the excessive rubbing.