Harvesting sunflower seeds?

LovedByHim316

They're just starting to wilt a bit and a few of them have been torn up by wildlife, so i'm planning to harvest them ASAP.

Any tricks? I just whack off the head and hang it upside down? How long do they take to dry out? 

hoping4septimus

we don't harverst them... they are PITA to toast and it is fun to watch the birds that come to eat them.

FSUalum

Mine started to dry on the stalk. We then had 5 days of rain followed by mold growing on the seeds. I decided to cut them down and hang them in my garage. I have harvested some, but it's a little time consuming and haven't done the rest yet. Some rotted or were eaten by what looks like worms. I plan on testing them to see if they will germinate- not sure if these seeds are sterile or not. I'm in south florida and I think I can get another crop to produce before it gets too cold.