How to Tell If Sunflower Seeds Are Dry

Sunflowers often lean foward from bearing the weight of their seeds.

Look for a few basic indicators to determine whether sunflowers seeds have fully dried or need more time. Sunflower seeds are often allowed to dry intact as the sunflower plant wilts and dies. Harvesting and storing sunflower seeds before they completely dry can result in mushy kernels and may cause devastating mold growth. Remove dried seeds from the flower and store them in air-tight containers, roast and salt them or eat as is.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Large paper bag
• Colander
• Large thick towel

Instructions

1. Monitor mature sunflowers for signs that they are wilting and dying. When most of the yellow petals have dropped off the plant and the backside of the flower head has begun to turn yellow, it is time to cut off the water source and finish the drying.

2. Cover the head of the flower with a large paper bag and cut the stem 6 inches below the seeds. Fold the bag closed and place it in a cool, dark and dry area of your house or garage.

3. Check the bag after three or four days to see if the backside of the flower head has discolored further to a brown shade. The weight of the sunflower cutting will have reduced by about half at this point and the seeds are dry enough to harvest.

4. Shake the stalk as you run your hand back and forth across the seeds to release them from the flower into the paper bag.

5. Pour the harvested seeds into a colander and pick out any extra plant debris like wilted flowers and leaves before rinsing the seeds with cold running water.

6. Spread the rinsed seeds in a single layer on a thick towel and allow them to dry for a couple hours before splitting open a hull and testing the kernel. If the hull splits easily without tearing and the kernel stays intact when pressed against the roof of your mouth with your tongue, then the seeds are sufficiently dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry roast sunflower seeds in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 to 15 minutes to develop a more complex roasted flavor.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Drying and Roasting Sunflower Seeds
• Clemson University Extension: Drying Seeds