The Helpful Hands Foundation

Sunflower ready for harvest

Sunflower seeds

The big beautiful bloom of the Mammoth Sunflower faces the east to take in the radiant rays of the sun and the companion plants below enjoy the pleasant shade it offers.

Aside from the simple beauty in your garden you can also enjoy the health benefits of snacking on sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant.

You can easily tell when it is time to harvest your sunflowers… their heads turn brown on the backside – then it is time for harvesting. Simply collect the head by cutting the sunflower off one foot down on the stem. Simply run your hand over the sunflower head and the seeds will pop right out.

You can remove the seeds from the shell and eat fresh… or roast them for a fun family treat.

Roasting sunflower seeds:
Remove the seeds from the shell and place a single layer of the raw seed kernels in a shallow pan. Roast the seeds in a 300º oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until the seeds are crisp and brown. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Salt to taste.