Harvesting sunflowers is easy, but deciding when to do it can be important. Sunflower heads picked before the proper time may have plenty of seed coats with little meat. If the harvesting time is delayed then the seeds will be too dry to roast.
And if you do more delay then there will be nothing left for you as the sunflowers get harvested by animals. To harvest the sunflower seeds in time and to decrease the loss we have got a solution for you. Use the following guide we have provided for you on how to harvest sunflower seeds.
1. Choose The Right Sunflower
There are several sunflower species. Not all of the species are suitable for harvest. Especially if you are willing to use sunflower seeds for food. There are pollenless and pollinating types of sunflowers.
Pollenless varieties are generally grown for cut flowers only while pollinating sunflower seeds produce oil seeds and striped seeds for household and commercial use.
Oil seeds are best used for bird seed or to produce sunflower oil. Oil seeds are also edible but most people prefer to eat the striped sunflower seeds. If you are willing to harvest the sunflower seeds that it will be best to select the breed that has ability to produce large amount of seeds and edible seeds that re best for consuming.
To properly harvest the sunflower seeds it will be best if you let them fully ripe from head to stem. The sunflower seeds are ready to harvest when the seeds are riped fully and start to get loose from the flower head. Just cut the stem of the sunflower below the head when you observe these signs.
An alternative method is to wait until about ⅔ of the seeds are mature. Cut a longer piece of stem - 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) works well. Wrap a paper bag around the head and hang the head in a well-ventilated area for a few weeks to dry them out. Make sure the area is warm, but not too hot.
3. Cut Off the Heads
There are several ways to harvest sunflowers. One is simply cutting the heads off the plant, leaving a short length of stem attached to the flower. Since many sunflower varieties grow quite large, you should use care in the cutting stems.
Branching types can likely be cut with a sturdy pair of bypass snips, while giant and single-flower cultivars may require the use of pruners or loppers. Use a sharp object like a knife with a sharp blade that can cut off the head of the flower easily.
Keep a container to store the cut heads of flowers using some plastics over it to avoid any wastage of the seeds. Also, consider using hand gloves available to make the task easier. Do the task carefully as the seeds of the sunflower may spread on the ground while cutting the heads.
Cut flower heads can be placed into a bag after harvest. Smaller flowers can be placed together in bunches, but larger types may require more space. Brown paper bags or net mesh are among the most popular and cost-effective options.
Before storage, each bag should be loosely secured with a twist tie, string, or rubber band. Consider using proper baggage to store the sunflower seeds to avoid any kind of wastage. Check for holes and leakage on the container or bag and repair it with the proper materials available.
You can also use sealant or tape to repair the hole instantly but make sure it is properly done. Otherwise, you can also use a plastic bucket and place polythene over it to do your task.
5. Hang Upside Down
Hanging seed heads upside down in a warm, dry space will help to dry and further prepare the seed for harvest. If they have ample airflow, dried seed heads should be ready in approximately 3-4 weeks. At this time, mature sunflower seeds should fall freely from the flower head.
If needed, you can help coax the seeds from the plant by gently rubbing the sunflower heads together. You can also use a long stick to hold the sunflower heads over them by simply placing them in a room using some holders.
Then place the cut heads over them in an upside-down position and use ropes to attach them. This will create a sequence layer of sunflower heads over the long stick and place them together. It can be used as an alternative in case other options are not available.
To dry the sunflower seeds just grab a 5-gallon bucket and your sunflower heads, and rub the surface of the seedhead over the bucket. The seeds will fall right out. You’ll also get other bits and pieces like petals and dried plant bits, but you’ll take care of that next. Also, you can use some alternatives like hitting the sunflower seeds on a wooden or metal cylinder and letting the seeds spread over the ground.
For using this method it is recommended to use a polytene to lay it on the ground on which seeds can get spread over it. Consider using body protection and gloves while doing the task. Another option is to use a device like a roller that keeps rolling. You just need to put the sunflower heads over it and let the device do the task.
7. Remove Debris
Place the seeds in a colander and rinse thoroughly. Remove any unwanted plant parts or debris and discard them. The mostly remaining debris is the leaves and flower petals of the sunflower head. You can also reuse the debris by simply converting it into organic compost rather than wasting it.
The prepared compost can be utilized for the next season. Use a proper dustbin or container to put the debris in. Also, consider using gloves while collecting the waste materials. Also, make sure that the debris is properly filtered from the sunflower seeds as well.
Else, the remaining may cause problems while extracting oil from the sunflower seeds. To prevent this check the debris thoroughly and remove them using your hands.
Finally, line a cardboard box with paper towels or newspaper, and spread the seeds evenly in a single layer, leaving space between each seed. Allow to dry out overnight before storing in an airtight glass or plastic container with lids with proper labelings like packing date and sunflower variety.
This will help to identify the sunflower and make it sustainable. You can also use a container available in your home that comes with the items that you brought. They can be reused rather than being wasted.
Just clean them thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any bacteria and let them dry properly in the sun before storing the sunflower seeds. Clean the container with a clean cloth after drying and store the sunflower seeds with the same process above.
When To Harvest Sunflower Seeds
Florets Fade
It’s easier to decide when to harvest sunflower seeds if you understand the flower’s structure. Sunflowers are a composite bloom. This means that there are multiple florets within each head. Ray florets are those attached to a petal, and these seldom produce seed. The center of the flower contains the disc florets, which will produce seeds after pollination.
Florets with a dried or shriveled appearance are among the first signs that seed development has started. At this time you might want to cover the flower heads with a lightweight cheesecloth or muslin to deter foraging animals.
As their seeds continue to develop, sunflowers are likely to drop their petals and change appearance. The most notable sign is the bloom’s nodding habit, in which the flower begins to droop, facing toward the ground. You may also notice the plants being visited by birds more frequently as the fresh seed approaches maturity.
If this kind of sign is observed on the sunflower then it's time to harvest them. Their position becomes unusual and is changed. One of the main features of sunflowers is that the position of the head changes timely. It becomes easier for you to figure out the harvesting time just by looking at their head position. Else, you can also check the seed's color and appearance.
Head Turns Yellow
A color change is another key indicator that sunflower seeds are ready to harvest. At maturity, the backs of each sunflower head often fade to a pale yellow or straw-like hue. Though this transition may be more evident in some varieties than others, this change in appearance is a good indication that it may be time to harvest the seeds.
The color of the sunflower head varies according to its age. It is variable and keeps changing from the time it blooms to the period when it becomes ready to harvest. If you are more familiar with the sunflower then you may observe the signs and can figure out the harvesting time. Otherwise, you can follow the above guidelines to know the harvesting period.
When the sunflower seeds are ready to harvest their seed will start to look plump. The coat of the seed will turn fully black or black and also white stripped. The color depends on the variety of sunflowers. The size of the seed determines the harvesting time of the sunflower. Just simply consider it and apply it. You can use it as your hacks for the sunflower seeds.
During the blooming and growing period, you may observe that the size of the seeds is smaller in comparison to the present-period seeds. This will help to prevent you from making mistakes regarding early harvesting of the sunflowers which may be not productive for you. Otherwise, you can receive high productivity by harvesting in time.
How to Roast Sunflower Seeds
After harvest, sunflower seeds can be roasted. You may want to hull, or remove the seeds from their shells, before roasting them. The roasting process will vary depending on personal preference.
But most consist of a soak in salt solution, followed by a long cooking period under low-medium heat. Finished seeds will have a light, toasted aroma and golden appearance. The use of additional spices and seasoning can help you to craft your unique garden snack.
How To Freeze Sunflower Seeds
Once you’ve cleaned your seed and dried it as best you can, close the seeds as well as desiccant packets in a plastic bag. Dry them further for 3 days before tossing the bag in the freezer. This ensures the moisture in your seeds is low enough so freezing will only preserve rather than kill them. The weevils have no such luck:
They will die as freezing water slashes their cell walls. While not difficult, saving sunflower seeds is not as simple as it may seem. It has evolved and developed for ages regarding the strategies that can be used effectively on farms. They are simple, consistent, effective, and mostly successfully to be used in farms. They are game changers in the farming industry.
If you are willing to save sunflower seeds for another season. Then do it instantly as soon as the seeds are completely dried. The last of the sunflower seeds is dependent on the dryness of the seed.
A sealed airtight jar is suitable for storing the seeds. Don’t forget to label the contents clearly and date them. Place the jar in a cool and dark location avoiding direct sunlight. A refrigerator is also one of the suitable places to store the sunflower seeds. To make sure that sunflower seeds remain in dry condition just put the silica gel.
Use Milk Powder
Else, you can also use milk powder by wrapping it in a tissue and placing it in the bottom of the jar. Also, you can freeze the sunflower seeds for sustainability. Another option is to use an airtight container and a freezer bag.
Most of the sunflower seeds can last up to a year when stored in a freezer. Those seeds stored in the pantry should be used within 2-3 months. If you want to store the seeds in envelopes then simply do winnowing. This will help to remove the additional debris from the sunflower seeds which are ready to be stored.
How To Remove Sunflower Seed Shells
Before eating sunflower seeds, it's best to remove the shells, as they are indigestible. If just grazing, you can remove them as you eat; otherwise, you can process the whole batch in one go. First, you'll need to break up the shell.
You can do this with a pestle and mortar, by putting the seeds in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin, or using an electric mixer.
Once you have broken up the outer shell, place the seeds into a large bowl and fill it with water. Stir well to help separate the seeds and shells. The husks should rise to the top. Use a slotted spoon to remove them. Finally, rinse your sunflower seeds in a sieve or colander.
