Proper Harvesting Methods for Sunflower Seeds

Signs

• Farmers will know their sunflowers are close to being harvested by looking for the telltale signs. Signs include leaves that fall from the stalk and a dry, wilted head that seems to hang down. The untrained eye might mistake these for signs that the plants are dead, but this is actually the time when the seeds are at their best.

Drying

• Sunflowers that are currently being dried need to remain warm and free of moisture at all times. This can be done while the sunflower is still on the stalk simply by covering the head of the plant with a brown paper bag. This keeps the sunflower away from insects and moisture while still giving it some amount of fresh air flow.

  Sunflowers can also be harvested early and dried at that time. Use a knife or garden shears to remove the head of the sunflower plant approximately 1 foot onto the stalk. The heads can then be placed in indoors for drying as long as they are kept warm and dry during the entire process.

Removing Seeds

• Removing the seeds from a sunflower plant is a straightforward process. Simply rub and work the head of the sunflower plant until the seeds become loose and fall out. While seeds can be harvested any time after they have developed, they are best when the plants have matured and dried out, and when the seed's coating is black and white striped.

Preparation

• Sunflower seeds can be eaten by humans or animals in their raw form, though some may choose to roast their seeds first if they are meant for human consumption. Unshelled seeds can be boiled in a mixture of salt and water and then roasted in an oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until they are brown. Seeds can then be eaten alone as a snack, mixed in with salad or used as an ingredient in your favorite meal.