Sunflowers are grown as ornamental flowers, wildlife feed and for human consumption.
Sunflowers are a versatile plant used as an ornamental plant for its bright flowers as well as seeds for wildlife feed and human consumption. Gardeners select varieties noted for large seed and head size. The process of growing these sunflowers is similar to the process employed with any sunflower plant, although the harvest and processing steps are obviously different. Sunflowers are commonly eaten as a snack or included in some baked goods.
Instructions
1. Work the garden area to a depth of 6 to 8 inches with a tiller or garden fork or spade. Add up to 4 inches of compost to the soil and work it again to mix the compost within the soil. Smooth the soil with a rake.
2. Form a row in the smoothed soil about 1 inch deep. Space the rows about two feet apart. Plant seeds about one foot apart for standard varieties and two feet apart for giant sunflowers. Cover the row with soil.
3. Water the plants when leaves show signs of distress by curling. Sunflowers develop deep roots and often are grown without artificial irrigation, especially in areas with adequate rainfall.
4. Cultivate the space between rows and plants with a hoe to control weeds. Adding mulch after the plants have reached 6 inches in height conserves moisture and reduces weeds.
5. Harvest the whole head when the back of the head is dry and the seeds look plump. Cut the stalk about 1 foot below the head. Place the heads in paper bags to continue drying. You may need to harvest the heads early in the drying process to avoid bird and squirrel depredations. Allow the heads to dry in a low-moisture environment for a couple of months. Monitor for mold if excess moisture is present.
6. Rub two heads together to work the seeds loose from the heads. Catch the seeds as they fall in a bucket or pan. Toast the seeds at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes for plain sunflowers or soak the seeds in saltwater overnight before toasting the seeds at 200 F for three hours for salted sunflower seeds.
Tags: about foot, feed human, feed human consumption, feet apart, human consumption