Sunflowers -- Harvesting

Sunflower seeds are ripe when they all fall off the head, or the birds start eating them. To prevent loss, cover the heads with a paper sack once the yellow petals start turning brown. Secure the sack with a rubber band or twist tie to prevent seeds from dropping.

Heads can also be cut and placed in a paper sack once a few seeds start turning the traditional black with white stripes. The flavor will not be as good as those ripened on the plant, but less loss will occur.