Harvesting Sunflower Seeds
The drying process takes an average of one to four days but it may take a little longer depending on how early you harvest the flower head and the conditions in which the flower dries.
Harvesting sunflower seeds. Sunflower harvesting is a favorite past time of birds squirrels field mice. But some folks want to beat the critters and dry indoors. Raw sunflower seeds are widely available on the market these days. Harvesting sunflower seeds depends on your preferred drying method.
The sunflower seeds are ready to harvest once the back of the head turns dark brown and very dry. But the sunflower predates corn as a domesticated crop and was onceharvested for use in dyes and for its nutritious seeds packed with vitamins a b and e calcium and folic acid. You wont be the only one harvesting sunflower seeds. In this case cut the stalks about a foot below the heads when the outer seeds are mature and hang the heads upside down a warm dry place.
The sunflower seeds you harvest can certainly be shelled and eaten raw. If you have done your homework and planted a sunflower variety with large full heads youre in for a treat but beware. Its best to wait and let the seeds dry completely on the stem. Some growers prefer to cut the stems earlier when the backs of their sunflowers are yellow and dry.
Then just cut the stem a inch below the heads. How to harvest sunflower seeds.