How to Dry Sunflower Seeds to Plant

Sunflowers are majestic tall blooms that offer beauty and nutrition at the same time. One sunflower head can contain 1,000 seeds or more. Each seed produces another plant. The seeds can be dried and roasted for human consumption. The flowers can be left standing in the garden throughout the winter for the birds to feast upon. Sunflowers can also be harvested for the next growing season. There are several ways to allow the seeds to dry for planting in the spring.

Things You'll Need

Paper bag or fine netting
Sharp knife or other cutting implement

Strong twine

Instructions

- 1
  Watch for the sunflowers to start drying in the garden. The leaves will start to turn yellow and may drop off the stem. The heads of the flowers will appear to be drooping over.
- 2
  Check the back of the sunflower heads. During the growing season, the backs will be green. As the flower matures, and the seeds are ready for harvest, the backs will turn to yellow and then brown.
- 3
  Tie a paper bag or fine netting over the head of the sunflower. This process is for gathering the seeds in the garden. The loose seeds will fall into the bag or netting as the flower starts to wither.
- 4
  Cut the stem of the sunflower at least 1 foot down from the head. Tie the flower heads upside down in a warm, dry location. Position the bag or netting over the seed head. Again, the seeds will be caught for storage.
- 5
  Rub the dried seed heads with your bare hands to loosen all the seeds. The seeds should fall out easily if the sunflower is properly mature. The plant may appear dead, but the seeds will be hard and still moist inside.
- 6
  Dry the seeds in a warm, dry storage area. The seeds need to be mixed or turned throughout the storing period. Sunflower seeds contain moisture and can become extremely warm while in storage. Unless carefully maintained, the seeds can become combustible.

How Are Sunflower Seeds Dispersed?

Information on Sunflowers

Growing Sunflowers