By Emil Haltedad
K-State Research and Extension
Manhattan – From farmers to small league players, sunflower seeds are a popular summer snack.
“Sunflowers are usually ready to be harvested from mid-September to October,” said Ward Upham, a gardener at Kansas State University.
“Seed heads may begin to rot on the plants, but they must be protected from birds,” said Upham. It is important to know when and how to harvest sunflowers as you plan to eat and eat Upham seeds.
Upham recommends covering the sunflower’s head with a paper bag or chess cloth to keep the birds out and prevent the loss of mature seeds.
A few tips for harvesting include:
ፍ Flores drilled in the center of the flower disc brown.
Ads heads back down
The back of the head is lemon-yellow in color
“The last check is to draw a few seeds to see if the white rods have really turned black,” said Upham.
If it does not cover the head, the correct harvest point may be when a few seeds turn black and white. “The taste is not as good as the seeds are allowed to ripen, but fewer seeds will be lost,” said Upham.
Once the sunflowers are ready for harvest, some people just cut off their heads and put them in a paper bag, while others prefer to leave them on a stump and hang them up. Gently massage his head, ”Upham said.
Now is the time to harvest and bake them. Upham’s recommendations include:
Cover unripe seeds with 2 quarts of water to 2 to 2 cups of salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 hours or soak in salted solution overnight.
Drain the seeds with salt water and dry on parchment paper.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the sunflower seeds in a shallow pan, making sure to stir occasionally.
Remove the seeds from the oven and add 1 teaspoon of melted butter, margarine or cooking oil to one cup of seeds.
Mix all the seeds to coat, place on a damp towel and salt to taste.
Upham and the K-State Department of Garden and Natural Resources produce weekly tips on how to protect indoor landscapes. The newspaper is available for viewing online or can be emailed weekly.
Interested people can visit the garden and garden-related questions at Uppam b [email protected], Or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.