If you’ve noticed your sunflowers are starting to droop and look a little less sunny, think about saving the seeds. Each head can contain 1,000 seeds or more. It would be a shame to let them all go to waste at the end of summer.
Sunflowers are ready for harvest soon after the petals start to wither and turn brown in late summer or early fall. If birds are flocking to your garden to pick at the flowers, that’s a good clue that the seeds are ready to eat. You can harvest sunflower seeds for snacking, use them in recipes, or save them to replant next year. Here’s how.
How To Harvest Flowers
You can allow the sunflower heads to fully dry in the garden or harvest them early and dry them indoors. The second is preferable if you are trying to save your seeds from the birds. As soon as you notice the back of a flower head has turned from green to yellow, you can cut off the flower for drying. The stalks are tough, so use a sharp garden knife or pruning shears and snip a few inches below each flower.
Hang the flowers upside down with twine in a shady, dry location indoors. Within a few days, the flowers should turn completely brown, at which point the seeds are ready to be harvested.
If you decide to leave your sunflowers in the garden to dry, you can save some from the birds by tying paper bags or fine mesh bags over the flowers. Once the flower heads turn brown, go ahead and harvest the seeds.
How To Collect Seeds
Now that the flowers have fully dried in the garden or in your home, you can collect the seeds. If the tiny flowers in the center of the disc are still attached to the seeds, gently wipe them off with your fingers. Then you can use your hands to brush the seeds out of the flower heads. Do this over a large container so that you don’t lose any seeds. After you’re done, pick out any debris to discard.
How To Save Seeds For Replanting
If you plan to save the seeds for replanting next year, keep them in their shells and make sure they are completely dry before storing. Place them on a plate or baking sheet if they need more time. Then, put the seeds in an envelope or brown paper bag. Mark this with the date and type of sunflower. Store the seeds in a cool, dry location for next spring. You can plant sunflower seeds in the soil after the last spring frost or start them indoors up to six weeks before then.
How To Store Seeds For Snacking
Giant sunflowers produce the best seeds for snacking. Sunflower seeds can turn rancid, so we recommend keeping them in their shells for storage. First, rinse the seeds in a colander and lay them out dry in a single layer on paper towels. Then place the seeds in a container with a lid and label it with the date.
Both raw and roasted sunflower seeds will last two or three months at room temperature in an airtight container in the pantry. If you have a lot of seeds, store some in the refrigerator or freezer for up to a year.
How To Roast Sunflower Seeds
Roasting sunflower seeds is easy. Scatter the seeds on a cookie sheet and bake them for 30 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit or until golden brown. Allow the seeds to cool completely before sealing them in a container.
If you want to salt your seeds, the National Sunflower Association recommends soaking them overnight before roasting. Add 1/4 cup of salt for every 4 cups (1 quart) of water. Drain the seeds the next day and pat them dry, then bake as described above. You may need to give them a little more time in the oven to fully dry.
Ways To Use Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds add a wholesome crunch to all kinds of recipes. They can be sprinkled on salads or over yogurt, blended into dressings, or mixed into granola. Try one of these delicious dishes that feature sunflower seeds:
