I use sunflower oil in my mayonnaise. The truly stable ones come in a dark bottle and are cold-pressed and unrefined. Allow seeds to dry out a bit, and then roast on a cookie pan for 35 to 40 minutes on 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The seeds should readily fall out of the flower head. This process is not difficult, but squirrels and birds know this all too well and may clean you out before you can get to them. Harvest The Stiff Sunflower. ; Extract the seed: Gently rub the flower heads between your thumbs or use a fork to loosen and retrieve the sunflower seeds.You can also tie a cheesecloth around the sunflower head and hang it upside … Once cooled, the seeds can be stored in an air-tight container to keep fresh for months. Some gardeners like to eat them raw, right off the dried flower. Harvest sunflower seeds once the flower has begun to fade. Store the seeds in a standard letter envelope in a dry, cool location to plant next spring. Do not place the seeds in a sealed jar or plastic container because the seeds may develop mold in this kind of storage. Once opened, the bottle should be refrigerated to avoid rancidity. Harvesting sunflower seeds is a simple three-step process: Dry out the flower heads: Leave your plucked flower heads in a cool, dry place until the seed heads have completely dried out. You might also want to save some to plant next year, or make suet cakes to add to your bird feeder to keep your feathered friends happy in the winter months. When to Harvest Sunflower Seeds. Here is to enjoying the benefits of planting, growing and harvesting your own delicious crop of sunflower seeds! Sunflower oil is one of the few vegetable oils that is fairly stable. Crack the shell with your teeth and enjoy the earthy taste of raw sunflower seeds, straight from the garden. , straight from the garden not place the seeds can be stored in an air-tight to... 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