For the sunflower seeds we just wait until they turn from white to white with black stripes. Then pull the heads and shuck the seeds out. Soak them in salt water for a day then bake in the oven. If you want more seeds for next year, pull the heads off and put them in a cool dry place until the next year. Oh and this is from last years garden, it's not that nice out yet and we have standing water in the garden still. LOL