Size of Sunflower Seeds

Size

• In their hull, sunflower seeds measure approximately 5/8 inch. The size of sunflower seeds makes them an ideal portable snack for multiple outdoor activities, baseball being one of the most popular.

Application

• The seed size determines how the seeds will be used in the marketplace. The National Sunflower Association explains that sunflower seeds are broken down into three grades: small, medium and large. The smallest seeds are used for pet and bird food; medium-sized seeds are stripped of their hulls and sold for their kernels, and the largest seeds are sold to the in-shell market to be consumed as snacks.

Planting Conditions

• Sunflowers need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight for maximum growth, preferably in a freestanding location. Plant in moist gardening soil that has been amended with compost. Sunflowers have a finely branched taproot system and can make use of water from deep soil layers, so take caution not to overwater the plant.

Harvesting Seeds

• Sunflower seeds can be harvested as soon as the head of the flower turns brown. A number of birds and animals are fond of sunflower seeds, so gardeners who wish to feast on the harvest must protect the flower heads. When a flower head begins to turn brown, place a paper bag over it until 80 percent of the flowers change color.