
Save the seeds to feed birds during the winter. Let the kernels dry on paper towels completely before using or storing. Drain the kernels in a colander and pick through them for any stray bits of shell. The shells will float to the top, where you can skim them off with a slotted spoon. Dump the contents of the bag into a bowl of water.
#When to harvest sunflower seeds crack#
The easiest way to do this is to place your dried and cooled seeds in a plastic bag and gently run a rolling pin over the bag to crack the shells. Shelling your seeds is necessary if you plan to use the seeds in other dishes. Shell your seeds for use in baking or salads.

You can chew the entire seed and spit out the shell, or, some people even eat the whole seed – shell and all – although this could be a bit hazardous to the digestive system if the shells aren’t thoroughly chewed and softened. You can crack each one with your teeth and gently pry out the tender kernel inside. How you eat your sunflower seeds is a personal choice. You can eat the seeds right away (raw) or roast them for a richer flavor.Once the heads are dried, brush the seeds onto clean paper or cheeseclot h.With good air circulation, the heads should be fully dry in 4 to 5 days. Hang flower heads by the stem in a warm, dry area.Here are the steps to a successful seed harvest: The seeds will need further drying before they can be stripped from the flowers.

Squirrels, small rodents, and birds especially, may go after your crop before the seeds are ready to harvest. Humans aren’t the only ones who love to eat sunflower seeds. Protect sunflower seed heads from hungry wildlife. Depending on where you live, sunflower seeds may be ready to harvest from September into October. They’ll look like the snack packs of seeds you pick up at the grocery store. By this time, the seeds should be mature, with black-and-white striped seed coats. You can pick your sunflower seeds when the majority of the petals have fallen from the flower head, and its back turns from green to dry and brown. And they’re readily available in a wide range of colors, bloom shapes, and sizes.Īnother great advantage of the sunflower is that, once its blossom has faded, you can harvest the seeds to make a tasty, nutritious snack or use them to feed wildlife over the winter. They are equally beautiful as part of the landscape or as cut flowers. They grow easily from seed, aren’t fussy about soil conditions, and take minimal care.
