Sunflower DIY Ideas

Cheery, bright sunflowers: they’re the perfect plant to entice pollinators, add garden drama (the good kind, that is!), lure little ones to play among the towering stalks, and brighten celebrations with brilliant, charming blooms. If you’re not growing sunflowers…well, why AREN’T you growing sunflowers? After all, it’s the Year of the Sunflower, and you should join the sunflower craze! Our Year of the Sunflower article gives tips on what types of sunflowers to grow and basic how-to-grow information.

Once you’ve grown your favorite varieties, take a look at these fun Sunflower DIY projects that will make your whole family adore these sunny blooms, whether they enjoy tasty treats, dress up, bird watching, or just enjoying pretty blooms.

Taste the Sunny Goodness of Sunflowers

Birds and other wildlife love sunflower seeds—but so do we! Do you know that you can expand your sunflower menu to include more than just salty seed snacks? Add healthy, nutritional (shelled) sunflower seeds to your favorite bread recipes, try them in muffins, sprinkle them in desserts, or add them to pasta, salads, veggies, and egg dishes. Naturally, they’re also the perfect addition to trail mix.

But how do you know when your sunflower seeds are ready—and how do you harvest them?

1. First, make sure your sunflowers are pollinated. You’ll see seeds starting to form.
2. Cover the flower heads with a lightweight fabric, like tulle or a tightly woven mesh bag, to let the airflow in—but keep the birds and critters out! Secure the fabric or bag tightly at the base of the flower head.
3. When the petals wilt and the back of the flower head is dry and brown, it’s time to harvest the seeds.
4. Cut the flower heads and hang them in a cool, dry place inside for about four weeks.
5. When the flower head is completely dry, it’s time to harvest the seeds. Remove the hanging flower heads, and place a container under them. Pull the heads apart to release the seeds, using your fingers to pop them out of the flower head.
6. Store seeds in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place, or place them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Roasted Sunflower Seeds

Recipe from NGB Member Botanical Interests

• Spread sunflower seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet or shallow pan.
• Roast in a 300-degree oven for 30 or 40 minutes until golden. Stir the seeds occasionally.
• Seeds develop a small crack down the center as they roast. Taste a few seeds to make sure they are completely roasted.
• Want to add some fun flavors to your sunflower seeds? Mix a teaspoon of melted butter with a cup of seeds while they are still warm from the oven, then sprinkle the seeds with your favorite seasoning, like barbeque, taco, or ranch. Yum!

Salted Seeds in the Shell

Recipe from NGB Member Botanical Interests

• Soak seeds overnight in salted water (1/4 to ½ cup salt in 2 quarts of water).
• Drain and pat seeds dry with paper towels.
• Roast as instructed above.

Do you know that not only are the seeds edible, but so are the flower petals and buds? Use the pretty petals to add a burst of brightness to salads, or decorate your favorite desserts with a bit of beauty! If you love the taste of artichokes, try cooking homegrown sunflower buds for a garden-to-table treat.

DIY Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a staple in many kitchens. It’s a great ingredient in salad dressings, a terrific option for frying foods, and even makes perfectly preserved veggies. But sunflower oil is also used in homemade beauty products, an ideal ingredient that softens skin and moisturizes hair.

Guess what? You can extract the goodness of sunflower oil from your homegrown flowers! Here’s how:

• Start with black sunflower oilseed. These seeds produce almost double the amount of sunflower oil compared to other types. Grow the seeds according to directions on the packet, and harvest the seeds when mature.
• Peel the seeds and make sure they’re free from debris.
• Using a blender or food processor, blend the seeds into a smooth paste. You’ll see some traces of oil mixed with the paste.
• Add 2 tbsp. water to the paste and blend. Continue to add 1-2 tbsp. of water and blend until more oil emerges and the paste thickens. (Don’t add too much water, as the paste will become sticky.)
• Place the paste into a bowl and massage it with your hands until oil flows out easily.
• Scoop a small portion of the paste into your hands, and squeeze the oil into a second, clean bowl. Repeat until all the oil has been extracted.
• Sieve the oil to remove impurities.
• Pour oil into an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

How to enjoy cut sunflowers –

(Tips and Photos by Buffy Hargett Flowers/Courtesy of Monrovia Plants)

1.  Start a clean ceramic container (or anything opaque)
2.  Cut a piece of chicken wire about 1 inch larger than your container
3.  Gently squeeze chicken wire to fit into the container securely at the top of the container
4.  Fill with clean water about 3/4 full
5.  Cut different lengths of SunBelievable™ blossoms at an angle 1 to 3 inches above the rim of the container
6.  Remove the leaves below the waterline before placing them in your container
7.  For a natural feel, use odd numbers and place them around the vase in small irregular triangles.
8.  Cut some natural greenery from your yard, such as mint, basil, rosemary for a fresh twist.
9.  Look for different textures, sizes, and colors of leaves to make your arrangement more interesting.
10.  Add in something unexpected such as Billy Balls (Craspedia)
11.  Keep the arrangement fresh by changing out the water every 2 to 3 days.

“This post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”