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Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I had a bunch of sunflowers this year and would like to harvest the seeds for planting and sharing next year. Do I cut off the heads and dry them while still in the heads or is there a technique for getting the seeds out of the heads and then drying them?

10/13/2008 12:05:59 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If you don't the birds will for you...Hang them where the mice can not get to them also.

10/13/2008 1:53:02 PM

Utah

either way works.
if you rub them out first then you need to dry them - just like any other seed.
... if leave them in the head then you need to use a glove to rub them out because there is a sharpe pokey thing next to each seed (they are not hard and sharp earlier before they dry)

10/13/2008 7:08:50 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Thanks guys!

10/13/2008 7:13:13 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

How can I tell when they're dry enough for storage? With pumpkins the papery cover comes off. What's the clue with sunflower seeds?

10/20/2008 11:13:27 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I find that if I faceplant the sunny head a few times into the table and seeds come out they are dry enough to harvest and then to now let sit for another few weeks to dry. If I want the best stuff the head has to offer I try and only harvest the seeds that are on the first two rows around the outer edge of the head. They all opened together first and theres a better chance they self/cross pollinated before all the bugs in the city decided to come and pillage the head when all the middle seeds were in blossom.

10/24/2008 12:44:54 PM