When to harvest sunflowers

Harvest sunflowers when the back of the head has turned from green to yellow and the bracts are turning brown, about 30 to 45 days after bloom, when seed moisture is about 35%.

The window: About 30 to 45 days after bloom, once the back of the head has turned from green to yellow and the bracts are turning brown (Stage R9) and seed moisture is about 35%.

The back of the head has turned from green to yellow.
The bracts are turning brown (Stage R9).
Seed moisture is about 35%.
You can harvest sooner, at seed moisture as high as 25%, to reduce shattering and bird loss.

The mistake to avoid: Waiting too long can cause seed shattering loss during harvest and loss from birds, so consider harvesting sooner when seed moisture is as high as 25%.

Timing varies by region and year; your local extension office is the closest authority.

Grounded in: ndsu.edu. Every timing follows sentences verified verbatim on those pages.

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