Sunflower seeds

lolly5648 · 7 July 2010 at 8:02AM

I am growing a sunflower and would like to collect the seeds for eating.

Do I have to cut off the head at some stage and dry it out to collect the seeds and are they ready to eat or do you have to cook them in some way?

jeferey · 7 July 2010 at 9:55AM

Let it dry out - cut the head off and hang it upside down in a garage or shed and put a sheet underneath - they will eventually fall out (or you could give them a hand by rubbing them!) or you could stick a paper back over it in situ to stop the birds pinching them.

Once you've got your seeds you need to soak them in salted water overnight then roast them. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking tray and pop it in your oven on a low heat for an hour or two. Then let them cool off and they are ready to eat. You can also store them in air tight container like a clean jam jar.

lolly5648 · 7 July 2010 at 11:51AM

That's brilliant, thanks jeferey.

Poppycat · 7 July 2010 at 11:58AM

Yes you need to cut head off and I then cut it into sections to dry out, the seeds can be covered in oil

Farway · 7 July 2010 at 2:36PM

You may have to fight the squirrels & birds off first

saver-j · 7 July 2010 at 2:46PM

You could also save a few to plant before the soaking part in jefery's post that way you get even more for free next year. I left the heads on mine outside last year, with the intention of leaving them for the birds, but they obviously missed quite a few as I have at least 10 plants that have come up this year underneath where just 2 were planted last year. No need to buy any sunflower seeds this year. :money: