How to collect Sunflower seeds
Sunflowers are one of our favourite summer blooms. Here at Bunches, we love them so much that we give out Sunflowers seeds with orders over the spring months so that our wonderful customers can enjoy them too!
You may have read our care guide on growing Sunflowers, or enjoyed our article on what Sunflowers mean. But did you know that you can harvest Sunflower seeds directly from the flowers in your garden, which you can then plant next year?
Below, we have a look at how to collect Sunflower seeds and store them for the following year.
Wait for the flower to fade
To know when the Sunflower seeds are ready to collect, you will need to wait for the flowers to dry out and droop on their stems, and the plant’s leaves begin to yellow. The back of Sunflowers will be yellowish-brown, and the petals will be withering. Usually a sad sight, this means your seeds are ready to be picked and given new life!
It’s advisable to place a paper bag or cheesecloth over the Sunflowers when you see them start to wilt, as this prevents animals snacking on the seeds.
Off with their heads!
When they are dropping, you will need to cut the Sunflower heads off. Leave 6-12 inches of stem and strip them of any lingering leaves.
Dry them out
Store the Sunflower heads in a sunny, warm, dry place for a week. Better Homes & Gardens advises bundling two to three sunflower stems together with twine and hanging them upside down in a until they’re completely dry, and the back of the flowerheads turn brown. If you have the heads in paper bags, make sure to leave the bags on during the drying process.
Whilst you can dry your Sunflowers outside, you run the risk of birds and other animals using the seeds as snacks, so it’s best to do it inside if possible!
Remove the seeds
When your flowers have dried out, you can remove the Sunflower seeds by gently rubbing the Sunflower head with your fingers/thumb. If you have a paper bag over the heads, they will drop out into the bag as the flowers dry out.
Store for spring!
Pop the seeds in a sealable bag, envelope, or jar and store them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Then, when spring returns, you can plant them and watch your Sunflowers come back to life!
You can also eat your harvested seeds by soaking them in salted water overnight, draining the water (pat off any excess water with a paper towel) and then roasting them at 150°C for 30-40 minutes until they are golden brown. Sunflower seeds can be stored in air-tight containers 2 to 3 months, or in the freezer for a year.
However you choose to enjoy your Sunflowers, don’t be sad when their season ends; they will always return, and in the meantime there are a variety of beautiful blooms to see you through until summer at bunches.co.uk!
