The most exciting thing about watching sunflowers grow is the ability to munch on their seed when fall comes around. Even if you aren’t interested in eating sunflower seeds, you can still use them for cultivating more of this plant next spring. If you’re interested in harvesting sunflowers the right way to produce new, beautiful blooms, read our handy guide below.
When to Harvest Your Sunflower Seeds
Reaping sunflower seeds isn’t difficult, but knowing when to remove the seeds can be. Heads that are picked before they’re supposed to could have seed coats that are so thick that they don’t contain any meat. Waiting too long could also cause an issue with seed coatings because you may cultivate tender husks that can’t be roasted in your oven.
If you’re harvesting seeds to plant, you don’t need to worry about how thick or tender the husks are, but it’s preferable that you pick thicker husks that can sustain their growth period.
Only start to harvest sunflower seeds for consumption when petals begin to dry and fall. The base at the head should have turned brown. The seeds should look plump, entirely black, and have thin stripes throughout the base. It’s a good idea to cover the sunflower heads before their harvest date, so animals and birds don’t eat them.
How to Harvest Seeds
There is no right way to harvest sunflower seeds because they aren’t delicate and will almost always stay intact during the harvest. However, if you want to get a more significant yield from your harvest, it’s recommended that you wait until the seeds fully ripen near the steam.
When seeds become ripe, they are loose and are easy to cultivate. Cut the stem one inch under the head and rub the seeds with a tool or your hand. Remove the chaff, but be sure to let the seeds dry before storing, or mold could develop and prevent them from being eaten.
You could also start harvesting when 2/3 of the seeds begin to mature. To do so, cut at least 3-4 inches from the steam and wrap a plastic bag around the top of the sunflower in a well-ventilated area to dry. Ensure that the storage area isn’t too hot and stays at room temperature. Don’t stick seeds in an unfinished basement that’s prone to cold snaps.
Saving Your Seeds
Mature seeds can be cooked immediately or stored for the next planting season. As stated, make sure the seeds are dry before storing, so mold doesn’t develop. If you’re storing seeds for a prolonged period, place them in an airtight mason jar and label the harvest date.
If you’re positive that your seeds will only be stored in your home for a season, place the mason jar in a dark, cool location instead. The refrigerator is the perfect spot, but you’ll need to put silica gel packets or powdered milk around the bottom to prevent moisture.
When done right, you can freeze your seeds by using a freezer bag. Moisture is unlikely to develop, especially if your freezer maintains a temperature of 0° F.
To store sunflower seeds for less than two months, you can place them in your pantry as long as there isn’t any risk of water penetrating your container.
A Quick Guide to Planting Newly Harvested Sunflower Seeds
To cultivate as many sunflower seeds as possible for the next season, it’s essential to plant your seeds in an environment that produces the best harvest.
- Only plant your seeds after the spring frost or anytime after the soil has warmed to 50°F.
- Seeds should be planted 1 to 1 ½ inches deep and 6 inches apart.
- Sunflowers love to grow with the sun directly on top of them. They require at least 6-8 hours per day to maintain their growth.
- Ensure that your seeds are placed in well-draining soil. Sunflowers do not like to sit in water for a prolonged period and could start dying as a result.
- Sunflowers aren’t picky when it comes to the type of soil (as long as it’s nutrient-rich) or pH level, but they can’t be in soil that’s too compact. Loosen the dirt enough to ensure your sunflowers can stretch their roots.
- Since sunflowers grow straight up and are often tall, it’s important not to grow them where strong winds could damage their stems.
- Water sunflowers daily.
Using these tips should make it more likely that your sunflowers will produce a large number of seeds. Be sure to keep your sunflower seeds away from squirrels or other animals that could dig them up before growing. Birds love to scratch around the roots even weeks after growth, so create a netting area all the way around your garden to help your flowers mature.