Eager For Sunflower Seeds Loaded With Nutrition & Flavor

Sunflower seeds are Mother Nature’s personal prescription for better mental and physical health. These powerful antioxidants are thought to protect human cells from cardiovascular disease and cancer.  They are also rich in folate, a nutrient that maintains cell health and prevents anemia.

The high-fiber seeds also help promote and maintain digestive health. Their impressive nutritional profile makes sunflower seeds an excellent source of energy and a simple way to add lift to your everyday recipes.

A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

It is a very easy task to cut and dry your sunflowers. Sunflowers are ready to be harvested once the back side of the flower turns yellow and will droop somewhat, instead of facing the sun.

In northern areas, this might be after the first killing freeze. In warmer areas, the plant will dry down naturally.Harvesting sunflowers usually occurs sometime between September and October.

By this time, most or all of the petals should have fallen off, and the backs of the heads will have turned tan or a pale yellow. Simply snip the head off the plant and rub the seeds out by hand.

If birds or other pests are attacking your sunflower heads, you can cut the heads and hang them in your garage like onions often are dried. But you need to ensure that the seeds are mature. You might also have another option to discourage the critters. Cover the heads with paper sacks so the seeds are harder to retrieve.

If you’ve determined that your sunflower is ready, cut the head of the sunflower off while leaving a bit of the stem still attached. Do not harvest sunflowers that are still green in appearance. Look for sunflowers that have lost most of their leaves, are somewhat brown and hang heavily.

Your sunflower seeds are ready if they are plump and striped with black and white. Once you have cut the sunflower, allow the flower to dry out for approximately one week.

The drying process allows the seeds to be released from the sunflower head.  If the sunflower head has dried sufficiently, the seeds should fall out rather easily. If you find that your seeds are not coming out easily, it’s a good indication that the flower head needs some additional drying time.

When the seeds are thoroughly dried, dislodge them by rubbing two heads together, or by brushing them with your fingers or a stiff brush. Allow the seeds to dry for a few more days, and then store in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator to retain flavor. Use nutrient-rich sunflower seeds for snacks and as a substitute for nuts in baking.

To toast the seeds to enhance their flavor, lightly brown them in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, or on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Lots of gardeners grow sunflowers as home-grown bird feeders. It’s great fun to watch little birds hanging upside down on the heads as they peck out one seed at a time. After the seeds are gone, chop up the stalks with a shredder or a machete and add that organic matter to your compost pile.

Assuming that you want some of the seeds for yourself, choose the biggest heads for harvest.

Want  to know more about sunflower seeds? Then click here:

Sunflowers Rise & Shine In Your Garden! | Your Organic Gardening Blog

or Sunflower Seeds: Mother Nature’s Delicious Gift For Better Health | Natural Health Solutions

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Yours truly, Polly – Organic Gardener

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Tagged as: bird feeders, harvesting sunflowers, sunflower seeds