Harvesting Sunflowers
Sunflowers are fun to grow and great to eat. That is, if you can beat the birds and squirrels to the seeds.
Protect your harvest by covering the flowers with a paper bag or cheesecloth as soon as the seeds begin to form.
Harvest the seeds when the back of the flower head is banana yellow or brown and most of the yellow petals are dry.
This is also when you can easily rub the fluffy covering off the plump seeds that have developed their characteristic gray stripes.
Eat them fresh, roast a few, or hang the harvested flowerheads upside down in a warm dry location to dry. Remove the seeds by rubbing your hand over the face of the flower.
Store the seeds in a cool dry place. Shelled sunflower seeds can last several months or longer if placed in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
A bit more information: Roasting tips? Capture your success by taking a few photos of these giant plants before harvesting. Then make a few into birdfeeders. Punch 4 evenly spaced holes in the flowerhead with a screwdriver. Run twine or colorful yarn through the holes to create a hanger.
Related

Audio

Article
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More