How to Harvest Ripening Sunflowers

Ripe Harvest

• 1

  Monitor your sunflower crop for signs of maturity. About four to six weeks after the flowers' first bloom, the rear of the flower head will change color to yellow and eventually brown, and the flower petals will have all dropped off. These signs, along with visibly loose and dark colored seeds, indicate the arrival of harvest time.

• 2

  Cut the flower head off the plant using your pruning shears or scythe. Turn the severed sunflower face down over your seed collection bucket or bag. Rub the face of the flower and loosen the seeds. Allow the seeds to fall into your collection container and pick out any remaining seeds with your fingers until the flower is empty.

• 3

  Pick out any large pieces of debris with your fingers. Remove any remaining flower residue or particles from the seeds by blowing air and turning the crop with your hands.

Early Harvest

• 4

  Harvest your sunflowers before they fully ripen if you wish to avoid birds and animals eating your crop. Cut the flower head from the plant as soon as the flower begins to droop and the rear of the head turns yellow.

• 5

  Leave about 1 foot of stem attached and wrap the head in a paper bag.

• 6

  Allow the flowers to dry indoors or in whatever well-ventilated area is convenient for you. When the seeds have dried sufficiently remove them from the flower head by rubbing them with your hands.