Sunflowers to seeds?! PLEASE HELP NOW?

Hey all,

I grew Mammoth sunflowers and they are done, meaning the peatals of the flowers are drying out and falling off so now what do I do so i can eat the seeds? I know you have to pick them out of the "head" of the sunflower but do you wait till they are dried up frist or what?

PLEASE HELP, I just cut the sunflowers down last night.

Sunflowers to seeds?! PLEASE HELP NOW?
Hang the heads up in a cool dry airy place and let them dry. You may have harvested too early. Usually the seeds are left to dry on the plant until the end of the season, even after the flower head dies, they continue to mature and dry.

Word of advice, if you want to save your seed, put a mesh covering over them while drying, otherwise your feathered friends will beat you to the treat! Loose pantyhose or mesh onion, potato or fruit bags will do the trick, secure them around the neck of the flowerhead with a twist tie.
Reply:I also use pantyhose to cover the heads of my sunflowers. It allows air and sun to enter and circulate but prevents birds from eating the seeds. I think that you should let the heads dry in a cool well ventilated area before eating, but the birds love them anytime.