Published on: 17 April 2021
Last Updated on: 30 December 2024
A home is more than just four-wall confinement to provide shelter. Sense of security, range of emotions, the commemoration of establishments, symbol of status, and more, all are some of the many aspects related to becoming a homeowner.
There are certain risks to achieve the absolute benefits of homeownership. It covers several social, personal, and financial advantages over monthly renting. Owning a house should represent your financial stability, emotional success, and community contribution.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals about 60% of Americans have homeownership. This lofty percentage is due to continued economic expansion with surging educational access. Settling for a home directly is thus more appealing for conscious people like yourself.
Almost every person understands the financial prerequisites of owning a home. In fact, it appears to be the most invigorating point of homeownership. Initial investment requires you to spend an incredibly high amount of money. But the outcome is sure to make a satisfying payoff with time. The pointed facts should explain the obvious advantages in brief.
Building Equity: The possessed value of any given asset is represented as equity. In fact, monthly mortgage payment lets you establish equity for your house. Direct contribution to the physical asset explicitly differs from monthly rental payments to landlords.
Long-Term Saving: Equity happens to initiate certain savings for your financially stable future. There are a number of strategies available to tap into equity. Even a minimal saving per month will aggregate massive savings after several years. Several studies indicate peak outcomes on your retirement ages to suggest retiree savings.
Building Wealth: The value of properties is burgeoning right now. Therefore, it will help you sell the home for a notable profit after years of use. Although short-term use can’t exactly have a significant payoff; however, long-term consideration, like 30 years plus, will provide you with a great profit.
Expense Control: There are different uncertainties involved in rental living. But ownership lets you skip the issues with less fixed payments. The amount lets you reimburse the overall expense for every month. And you can initiate absolute control over your costs.
Financial Education: Ownership immediately starts to develop a personalized understanding of your financial knowledge. Likewise, you’ll have to deal with many financial aspects. It becomes easy to predict the probable costs, letting you plan ahead of time. The educational skills regarding its management will surely help future generations.
Taxation Aspects Of Homeownership
Attractive tax breaks on ownership are sure to give you definite relief from complex regulations. Many deductions should occupy your applicable Federal Tax rules following the purchase. Check out the benefits closely to understand their viability.
Property Tax Deduction: Distinctive jurisdiction allows you to check the deduction of property taxes. There are several regulations regarding the aspect. It requires your attention to the usable points.
Home Sales Profit: Exemption in capital gain tax can cover thousands of dollars on selling. Though taxation eligibility requires you to occupy the benefits. It should follow the sale of homeownership.
Reduced Mortgage Interest: Almost every payable home mortgage interest remains tax-deductible. Therefore, the curtailed mortgage interest triggers a particular deduction of your taxable income.
Imputed Home Rent: Every landlord that provides rental living space has to pay taxes on the income. But it has nothing to do with homeownership. You can skip the hassles of additional tax regulations.
Credit Builder: There are many direct or indirect factors that contribute to your credit score. Owning a home improves the average credit account length. And it simply manages to push the score forward.
Additional Aspects That Remains Underrated
Alongside the benefits, there are several other factors to consider. The extra aspects often remain neglected, ignored, or unnoticed.
Inflation Hedge: Rental costs or housing payments keep pace with the ongoing inflation rate. Continued inflation obviously affects your overall expense.
Borrowing Power: Superior home equity results in further eligibility of borrowing money. A credit line or particular load on home equity suffices for a second mortgage. And the loan can provide financial support. It can include, medical bills, tuition fees, home improvements, or additional purchases.
These are all the monetary benefits of homeownership. There are several social benefits to ownership as well. You don’t have to deal with landlord permissions or restrictions on any change. The emotional and financial security you get from owning a home provides great relief. There remains no uncertain rental stay. Possessing a home becomes a symbol of personal accomplishments to raise the status. Freedom of full customization lets you check the possibilities towards further development.
Encountering The Risks
Talking about homeownership, the discussion remains incomplete without discussing its risks. You must consider the current financial aspects to back your expensive investment. In fact, high maintenance costs are likely to give you trouble. It’s particularly true for houses that feature minimal facilities. A poorly maintained home can also reduce the property value.
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Sometimes it's the leaves that matter, not the flowers. While most people keep flowers in their gardens, balconies, and backyards, some extra greenery also looks nice sometimes. This is where many people get the itch to include some foliage plants in their gardens. While many consider flowers to be the most crucial part of the vegetation of the household, some outdoor greenery also looks natural. Having some big green plants also helps make the house outdoors look beautiful and lush with greenery. Therefore, we have searched far and wide to present you with the 10 best types of foliage plants that you can buy and welcome to your household in 2022.
What Are Foliage Plants?
Foliage plants refer to plants that do not produce any flowers. Their main beauty lies in their leaves. They are primarily placed outdoors but can be placed indoors. Foliage plants are typically bigger than most flowering plants and potted plants. Therefore, they are primarily suited for outdoors, but some are better suited indoors.
Read More: 10 Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2022
10 Best Foliage Plants In 2022
If you want to buy plants to decorate your house or garden's outsides, then here are ten assorted foliage plants that you can buy and add to your garden in 2022.
1. Caladium
If you want to impress your soulmate with many hearts, then caladium might just get the job done. This plant has heart-shaped leaves that are typically reddish to crimson towards the middle. However, some leaves might also be white or pink. Since these plants have bright, arrow-shaped leaves, they are best used to brighten parts of your garden.
2. Coleus
If you want lots of options in choosing the color or shape of the leaf you want, then Coleus is for you. This plant comes in various bright colors, with the leaves being green with a different-colored midsection. This plant is popular because it comes with different splashes of colors that create great colorful contrasts.
3. Elephant Ear
While this might not be as big as an actual elephant ear, the leaves of this foliage plant are enormous. Compared to the other plants on this list, the leaves of this plant are big but have various colors available. The leaves grow up to 1 to 2 feet in length. Just keep it where the leaves get sheltered from strong winds.
4. Ferns
One of the most common foliage plants, ferns are a common sight in most houses that have foliage gardens. This plant comes in various sizes, from small to big. The leaves are typically bright green with dissected sword shapes, similar to spiky plants. These plants should be kept indoors, being placed beside the bed or the couch.
5. Ninebark
These deciduous shrubs come in lobed oval shapes and are purple foliage plants. It might also be available in other hues of golden and pink. This foliage plant is popular because it often changes color based on the season. It is best placed in focal points in your garden to get seen easily.
Click This To Read: 10 Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2022
6. Rex Begonia
This foliage plant is known for its broad and big leaves with highly decorative patterns. This plant is kept both indoors and outdoors, depending on the season. They are best kept in shady areas outdoors during summers and are taken inside during winters. This plant comes in various colors, with circular patterns on white, black, or darkish pink on the leaves.
7. Dusty Miller
If you want a light-colored
foliage plant, dusty millers will be a great addition to your garden. It is best kept in sunny areas so that the bright white-solver color of the leaves can pop and look vivid. This plant is best kept in pots and containers, especially indoors.
8. Peacock Plant
Being one of the best bedroom plants, it comes in various shapes and sizes based on its species. The leaves of this plant are colorful and can grow quite big. This is why they get compared to a peacock's tail. It's best if you keep them outdoors with higher temperatures and humidity.
9. Calatheas
These broad-leaved foliage plants are typically green in color with darker midsections. The leaves of these plants are pretty big and often look like canopies. If you decide to keep this plant in your garden, keep it in a shady area since they do not like direct sunlight.
10. Crotons
If you want colorful plants in your garden, then get some crotons. The leaves of this plant are long and slender, typically green in color with yellowish midsections. This plant is a pretty and colorful addition to your botanical garden.
How To Care For Foliage Plants?
After you get foliage plants for your garden, you must take good care of them. Make sure that these criteria are fulfilled and keep your plants lush and healthy throughout the year.
1. Lighting
It's best to keep most of your foliage plants outside in your garden or on your doorstep, where it gets sufficient sunlight. Therefore, it is vital to keep track of the intensity and duration of the sunlight your plants get exposed to during the daytime.
It's best to keep your plants outside so that it gets 10 to 16 hours of sunlight daily. However, some plants like the Calatheas and the Rex Begonia are best kept outside the range of direct sunlight.
2. Temperature
Foliage plants thrive best at 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 30 degrees Celsius). While most of these plants can survive warmer temperatures, colder temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) will cause severe problems.
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3. Humidity
Since most of these foliage plants are tropical plants, they thrive better in warmer and humid climates. A humidity level of 80% will be perfect for these plants, but not less than 35%. Inadequate humidity can cause these plants to develop brown patches on their leaves.
If you keep some of these plants indoors, you have to make sure the room is humid with indoor humidity controllers, especially during winters.
4. Soil
The health of the soil affects the growth of the plant in many ways. If you keep these plants in pots, add some potting soil with peat moss. These help the roots of the plants to breathe easier and get the essential nutrients it needs from the earth.
Don't keep these plants too close to each other, especially if they have more giant leaves like Elephant Ear. In addition, make sure that they get watered regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. What Are Foliage Plants Used For?
Foliage plants are used for decorating your garden with big green leaves or your interiors.
Q2. Do Foliage Plants Need Sunlight?
Yes, most foliage plants do need sunlight.
Q3. Can You Plant Foliage Outside?
Yes, foliage plants are typically planted outside, with a few exceptions.
Q4. What Soil Does Foliage Like?
Foliage plants like moist soil that gets watered regularly.
Conclusion
Foliage plants are some of the most beautiful non-flowering plants that you can add to your garden. The main attraction of these plants is their colorful leaves, which can come in different patterns, colors, and sizes.
Plants like Elephant Ears, Ferns, Coleus, Caladium, and Rex Begonia are some of the most popular foliage plants you should add to your garden. First, however, you must ensure that they are well kept and maintained, with sufficient sunlight and water.
If you liked reading this blog, then check out our other blogs about gardening plants too!
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What Are Trailing Plants? – What Are The Types Of Trailing Plants?
Big leaf plants can add an aesthetic touch to your home. If you are an admirer of home decoration, you cannot miss indoor plants as a part of your decoration.
Indoor plants require very minimum sunlight, and they are pretty easy to take care of. But, most important of all– they keep your indoor environment refreshed and fill it with fresh oxygen.
So, if you want to decorate your sweet home with beautiful big leaf aesthetic plants, you need to check out the few recommendations I have here in this article.
10 Best Big Leaf Plants For Indoors
If you are looking for recommendations for indoor plants with big leaves, please check out the ten recommendations I have here.
1. Swiss Cheese Plant
The botanical name of the Swiss Cheese Plant is Monstera deliciosa. This tropical beauty is enough to add a green touch to your indoors. It has big heart-shaped leaves to adorn your indoors. They do well if you keep them in indirect sunlight.
The heart-shaped leaves can grow up to 36 inches in length, and they are healthy for your indoor environment.
☀ Sun: They need bright but indirect sunlight.
🌡️Temperature: They are tropical plants, so you need to keep them in warm places. A temperature between 20°C - 30°C is ideal
💦Watering: You need to keep the soil wet most of the time. Watering them ⅔ times every week is enough.
🌷Type Of Soil: The soil needs to be moist and adequate fertilizers. A pH level of 5.5 to 7.5 works the best.
2. Dwarf Banana Plant
You can keep a large banana plant indoors. They are also big leaf plants. This is a tropical foliage plant that you can plant in a large plant. The leaves have quick growth, and the leaves are harmless to children and animals.
☀Sun: You can keep your Dwarf Banana Plant in full sunlight or in light shade.
🌡️ Temperature: They are big leaf tropical plants, so they enjoy a warm atmosphere. You can keep them at a temperature between 10°C to 33°C.
💦Watering: They need regular Watering– twice/ thrice every week in the warm season water them. Once every week is enough for the cold weather.
🌷Type Of Soil: The soil needs moisture. They need regular fertilizers.
3. Bird Of Paradise
If you want some flowers to highlight the big leaf plants you have indoors, then Bird Of Paradise is just the right plant to choose. These plants have long-lasting flowers and waxy leaves that add extra beauty to your indoors.
☀ Sun: Keep them in semi-shade or in full Sun.
🌡️ Temperature: Medium Temperature between 18°C to 22°C is just fine.
💦Watering: Keep the soil moist. The soil should not get completely dry.
🌷Type Of Soil: They need fertilizers in spring. Well-drained soil is better.
4. Elephant Ear Plant
These are the cheapest big leaf house plants. You can pull them from anywhere and plant them indoors. You can find these plants growing outdoors. These plants are toxic for small children and animals, so if you want to keep them, you need to be very careful.
☀Sun: They don't need full sunlight. Indirect bright sunlight is the best.
🌡️ Temperature: A temperature between 20°C to 30°C is best.
💦 Watering: The soil needs consistent moisture.
🌷Type Of Soil: Acidic, moist soil is the best.
5. Pinstripe Houseplant
Not many tabletop plants look as pretty as the Pinstripe Houseplant. These big leaf plants have gorgeous jungle green color with pink stripes to compliment the big leaves. They aren't too fond of direct bright sunlight. These plants are not harmful to animals and children.
☀ Sun: Keep them in indirect sunlight.
🌡️Temperature: 18°C to 30°C temperature is good enough.
💦Watering: You need to maintain the soil moisture.
🌷Type Of Soil: You peat and pebbles to balance the moisture.
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6. African Mask Plant
These big leaf plants are native plants of the Philippines. They get their name from their resemblance to an African mask. The large dark leaves can grow up to 18 inches. The silvery-white veins of the leaves make them even more attractive.
☀ Sun: Avoid direct sunlight. They love diffused sunlight.
🌡️Temperature: 15°C to 30°C is ideal for them.
💦Watering: They need regular watering during growth. Keep the pot moist and well-drained.
🌷Type Of Soil: Keep the soil well-drained using pebbles. Fertilize frequently after ⅔ months.
7. Majesty Palm
If you are looking for long leaf plants or big leaf indoor plants, the Majesty Palm is the one. They grow ten feet tall indoors. The leaves are toxic for animals and children, so you need to be careful if you are planting them indoors.
☀ Sun: Bright indirect sunlight is best.
🌡️Temperature: 18°C to 30°C is best.
💦 Watering: Water once after 1 or 2 weeks. Let the soil get dry before watering again.
🌷Type Of Soil: The soil is best if it is acidic.
8. Calathea Orbifolia
Are you looking for low-maintenance plants that keep the indoor air purified? Then there is no better option than Calathea Orbifolia. They can remove toxins from the air while also looking pretty with big textured leaves. There are silvery-white forks in the leaves that make them appear outwardly beautiful.
☀ Sun: They love bright sunlight but not direct sunlight.
🌡️Temperature: 18°C to 30°C is enough.
💦Watering: You can water them once or twice every two weeks.
🌷Type Of Soil: Well-drained soils rich in fertilizers are the best.
9. Philodendron Gloriosum
A native plant of Colombia, the Philodendron Gloriosum is a big leaf foliage plant. These plants love to crawl and climb. In humid weather, you can keep them indoors. These big leaf plants have gorgeous pink, light green, and white running across the leaves. The leaves, stems, and roots are toxic for humans and animals.
☀ Sun: Indirect and right sunlight is best.
🌡️Temperature: 7°C to 35°C is good enough.
💦Watering: The soil needs to be damp. You can water two to three times every week.
🌷Type Of Soil: Organic soil rich in fertilizers works the best.
10. Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle-shaped leaves of the Fiddle Leaf Fig are large and waxy. They inhabit their pots quite well. These big leaf plants are poisonous to humans and animals. But they are aesthetic-looking bedroom plants, and they are gorgeous.
☀ Sun: These plants need bright sunlight. Do not keep them in the shade.
🌡️Temperature: 15°C to 30°C is good enough for them.
💦 Watering: Regular Watering is necessary.
🌷Type Of Soil: You need well-fertilized moist soil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Here are some frequently asked questions that you may find interesting.
Q1. How To Care For Big Leaf Plants? Taking care of big leaf aesthetic plants is easy. You need to keep them in medium indirect sunlight and keep the potting soil moist. They don't need frequent fertilizing; once or twice every year is enough. Q2. How Do You Encourage A Big Leaf To Grow? The water, light, fertilizer, soil, and care are all crucial to growing your big leaf plants. Q3. Why Is My Big Leaf Plant Dying? There can be several reasons for this; excessive Watering or little Watering can cause your plant to die. Varying sunlight and bad incompatible soil can also be the reason behind your indoor plant's death. Q4. What Affects Leaf Size? The amount of Sun, water, air, and fertilizer your plant gets has an effect on the leaf size.
Bottom Line
If you want to grow big leaf plants indoors, then you can choose from these ten plants I have recommended here. All of these plants are low maintenance, and they are pretty in look. Aside from that, some of these plants purify your indoor environment.
Did you like this list? Please let us know in the comment; also, if you purchased any of them, let us know which once was your favorite.
Read Also:
10 Best Tall House Plants To Buy
10 Best Spiky Plants To Decorate Outside Your House
What Are Trailing Plants? – What Are The Types Of Trailing Plants?
Sunflowers are not only beautiful and cheerful, but they also produce delicious and nutritious seeds that you can enjoy as a snack or use in various recipes. Harvesting sunflower seeds is a fun and easy activity that you can do with your whole family. It is also a great way to teach your kids about nature, gardening, and healthy eating.
In this article, I will show you how to harvest sunflower seeds in a few simple steps, as well as some tips and tricks to make the most of your sunflower harvest. If you enjoyed reading my blog on harvesting lettuce, you will enjoy reading this one!
So, if that is what you are interested in knowing, I have you covered! Keep reading this blog till the end to learn more…
How to Grow Sunflower Seeds: A Simple and Rewarding Gardening Project?
Sunflowers are one of the most iconic and cheerful flowers in the world. They are also one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow from seeds.
Sunflowers can brighten up your garden, attract pollinators, provide shade, and produce edible seeds that you can harvest and enjoy.
In this part of the article, I will show you how to grow sunflower seeds in a few simple steps, as well as some tips and tricks to make the most of your sunflower growing experience.
How to Choose Sunflower Seeds?
The first step to growing sunflower seeds is to choose the right seeds for your garden. Sunflowers come in a wide range of sizes, colors, shapes, and types. Some of the most common types of sunflowers are:
Giant sunflowers
These are the tallest and largest sunflowers, reaching up to 15 feet in height and 12 inches in diameter. They produce huge and heavy flower heads that are filled with large and plump seeds. They are ideal for creating a dramatic and impressive display in your garden, as well as for harvesting large quantities of seeds. Some examples of giant sunflowers are Mammoth, Titan, and Kong.
Dwarf sunflowers
These are the smallest and shortest sunflowers, growing up to 3 feet in height and 6 inches in diameter. They produce smaller and lighter flower heads that are easier to manage and maintain. They are ideal for growing in containers, pots, or small spaces, as well as for adding a splash of color and charm to your garden. Some examples of dwarf sunflowers are Teddy Bear, Sunny Smile, and Little Becka.
Colored sunflowers
These are the most diverse and colorful sunflowers, ranging from yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, brown, and even green. They produce medium-sized flower heads that are attractive and eye-catching. They are ideal for creating a vibrant and varied display in your garden, as well as for cutting and arranging in bouquets or vases. Some examples of colored sunflowers are Autumn Beauty, Moulin Rouge, and Lemon Queen.
Things to Consider While Choosing Sunflower Seed
When choosing sunflower seeds, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. For instance, you should also consider the following factors:
Climate and season of your area
Sunflowers are warm-season plants that need full sun and warm temperatures to grow and bloom. They are best planted in late spring or early summer, after the last frost, when the soil is warm and moist. If you live in a cold or frost-prone area, you can start your seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors when the weather is favorable.
Soil and water conditions of your garden
Sunflowers are adaptable and tolerant plants that can grow in most types of soil, as long as they are well-drained and fertile. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They also need regular watering, especially during the germination and flowering stages. However, they can withstand some drought and dryness once they are established.
Space and support available in your garden
Sunflowers are large and sturdy plants that need ample space and support to grow and thrive. They should be planted at least 2 to 3 feet apart from each other and from other plants, to avoid overcrowding and competition. They should also be staked or tied to a fence, a trellis, or a pole, to prevent them from bending or breaking under their own weight.
How to Plant Sunflower Seeds?
Once you have chosen your sunflower seeds, you can proceed to the next step. Planting sunflower seeds is a simple process that involves preparing, sowing, and caring for the seeds. Here is how to do it:
Prepare the Soil
Prepare the soil by loosening it with a fork or a spade. Ensure that you remove debris, weeds, or rocks. You can also enrich your soil by adding some compost, manure, or fertilizer, to boost its fertility and drainage. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy, and has a temperature of at least 50°F.
Sow the Seeds
Sow the seeds by making holes or furrows in the soil, about 1 to 2 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet apart. You can use a ruler, a stick, or your finger to make the holes or furrows. Drop one or two seeds in each hole or furrow, and cover them lightly with soil. You can also sprinkle some water over the seeds to help them settle in the soil.
Nurture
Care for the seeds by watering them regularly, but not excessively, to keep the soil moist but not wet. You can also mulch the soil with straw, grass clippings, or leaves, to retain moisture and prevent weeds. You should also protect the seeds from birds, squirrels, or other animals, by covering them with a net, a cage, or a cloche. You should also thin the seedlings when they are about 4 to 6 inches tall, by removing the weaker or smaller ones, and leaving only the strongest and healthiest ones.
How to Grow Sunflower Seeds?
After planting your sunflower seeds, you can watch them grow and enjoy their beauty and bounty. Growing sunflower seeds is a rewarding and satisfying experience that requires minimal maintenance and care. Here are some tips and tricks to grow sunflower seeds successfully:
Water
Water your sunflowers regularly, but not excessively, to keep the soil moist but not wet. Sunflowers need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather and the soil conditions. You can use a hose, a sprinkler, or a drip irrigation system to water your sunflowers. You should water them in the morning or evening, and avoid wetting the leaves or the flower heads, to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your sunflowers occasionally, but not excessively, to boost their growth and flowering. Sunflowers need a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, such as a 10-10-10 or a 20-20-20 formula. You can apply the fertilizer once or twice during the growing season, following the instructions on the label. You should avoid over-fertilizing your sunflowers, as this can cause them to grow too tall and weak, and make them prone to pests and diseases.
Pruning
Prune your sunflowers occasionally, but not excessively, to improve their shape and health. Sunflowers do not need much pruning, as they are naturally self-pruning and self-cleaning. However, you can prune them to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves, stems, or flowers, to prevent infection and improve air circulation. You can also prune them to control their height and spread, by pinching or cutting off the tips of the main stem or the side branches.
You should use clean and sharp scissors or pruners to prune your sunflowers and do it in the morning or evening when the plants are less stressed.
When to Harvest Sunflower Seeds?
The first step to harvesting sunflower seeds is to know when they are ready. Sunflowers typically bloom in the summer and their seeds mature in late summer or early fall. You can tell when your sunflowers are ready to harvest by looking at their appearance and feel. Here are some signs that your sunflowers are ready to harvest:
Petals have fallen off or turned brown.
The back of the flower head has turned yellow or brown.
Seeds have developed black and white stripes.
The seeds are plump and firm to the touch.
If you are not sure if your sunflowers are ready to harvest, you can do a simple test by rubbing your thumb over the seeds. If they come off easily, they are ready to harvest. If they are still attached to the flower head, they need more time to ripen.
How to Harvest Sunflower Seeds?
Once you have determined that your sunflowers are ready to harvest, you can proceed to the next step. Harvesting sunflower seeds is a simple process that involves cutting, drying, and storing the seeds. Here is how to do it:
Cut the flower heads from the stems using a sharp knife or scissors. Leave about 12 inches of stem attached to the flower head for easier handling.
Place the flower heads in a dry and well-ventilated area, such as a garage, shed, or porch. You can hang them upside down or lay them flat on a screen or rack. Make sure they are not touching each other to prevent mold and rot.
Let the flower heads dry for about two weeks or until the seeds are completely dry and hard. You can check the dryness by biting or cracking a seed. If it is crunchy and not moist, it is dry enough.
Remove the seeds from the flower heads by rubbing them gently with your hands or a soft brush. You can also use a fork or a spoon to scrape them off. Discard any debris, such as petals, leaves, or insects.
Store the seeds in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, a plastic bag, or a metal tin. Label the container with the date and the variety of sunflower. Keep the container in a cool and dark place, such as a pantry, a cupboard, or a basement.
How to Enjoy Sunflower Seeds?
Now that you have harvested your sunflower seeds, you can enjoy them in various ways. You can eat them raw or roasted, salted or unsalted, shelled or unshelled. You can also use them in salads, soups, breads, muffins, granola, trail mix, pesto, butter, and more.
Sunflower seeds are rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can help manage high cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation and boost your immune system, brain function, and mood. Here are some tips and tricks to enjoy your sunflower seeds:
Roast
To roast your sunflower seeds, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp. You can season them with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, or any other spices you like.
Shell
To shell your sunflower seeds, you can use your teeth, your fingers, or a nutcracker. You can also soak them in water for a few hours to make them easier to shell. To remove the shells, you can blow them away with a fan, a hair dryer, or your mouth, or you can shake them in a colander or a sieve.
Sunflower Seed Butter
To make sunflower seed butter, you need to blend the shelled and roasted sunflower seeds in a blender until it turns smooth and creamy. You can add a little oil, honey, salt, or vanilla to enhance the flavor and texture. You can use sunflower seed butter as a spread for toast, crackers, or fruit, or as a dip for pretzels, celery, or carrots.
Pesto
To make sunflower seed pesto, blend roasted and shelled sunflower seeds with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor or a blender until smooth and thick. You can use sunflower seed pesto as a sauce for pasta, pizza, or sandwiches, or as a dressing for salads or roasted vegetables.
Wrapping It Up!
Harvesting sunflower seeds is a fun and easy activity that you can do with your whole family. It is also a great way to enjoy the beauty and bounty of nature, as well as the health benefits of sunflower seeds. By following the steps and tips in this article, you know how to harvest sunflower seeds in a few simple steps, as well as enjoy them in various ways. I hope you found this article helpful and informative.
If there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know. All that yo need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be ether to answer them all for you!
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