Harvesting sunflower seeds

[vette-kid]

I want to harvest our sunflower seeds. A few for snacks and a few for next year and maybe even a second harvest if I can get them in the ground soon. Last time I failed miserably and harvested too soon. I'm trying to avoid that this year, but I don't want the wildlife to get them either. Here is what they look like now, obviously some are in different stages and a few just blooming. None look quite ready to me. But what say the experts? How long from here until harvest? They seem to close up after losing petals and a few appear to have been bitten off already.

 

[vette-kid]

Guess no one here harvest sunflower seeds?

I harvested a few today. Lots of caterpillars destroyed some.

 

[Mrsclem]

Not sure but I thought I had seen some that had the seeds turn to the black color before harvesting. You would have to find someway to keep birds from harvesting for you. I have a sunflower blooming right now ( came up from bird seed). Going to try wrapping the head in netting to protect it.