How do you harvest sunflower seeds for future use?

Question

How do you harvest sunflower seeds for future use?

Answer 1

This is what e-how says to do:

Cut the sunflower heads, with 2 feet of stalk attached, as soon as the backs of the flowers start to turn brown.

Hang the heads in a dry, well-ventilated spot until the seeds have completely dried.

Rub the dried seeds from the head and remove the hulls.

Place the hulled seeds in plastic bags or storage containers and keep them in a cool dry place  for three to four months.

Store them in the freezer for up to a year

I did very close to what ehow suggests.  I hung my sunflowers upside down from the garage rafters.  I tied string around the stalks (one hanging from each end) and strung them over a large nail.  Be sure the flowers are hanging at different levels.  You want maximum airflow for quicker drying.  It may take awhile for them to completely dry, depending on the humidity.

I kept my seeds in baggies in the pantry.  I didn't take off the outside hull, until I used them.  I never froze them, but I did share them with the birds.

Happy munching.

Answer 2

In the fall, when they start to look dry, cut the flowers off, and put in a brown paper bag. When completely dry, they are easy to remove.  Of if you have a place to lay them out flat, they really dry better that way.