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All About Sunflowers - Urban Farmer's Guide
Home > Gardener's Guide > All About Sunflowers
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Sunflowers adore full sun and warm weather. This plant is a North American native, and was a key food crop for native peoples. Today, they're still grown for food, and not just for birds: their seeds make a wholesome snack and are pressed into vegetable oil. Sunflowers also make a beautiful display in any yard always towering over any other plant.
Sunflower Varieties
Sunflowers are basically separated by size. The giant varieties grow over ten feet. Regular sunflowers typically grow from six to ten feet. Miniatures are gaining in popularity as borders. They are very popular in Asia, and grow two to four feet.
Most sunflowers form one big head or flower but some can form a few smaller heads that form on lower branches. The larger, giant sunflowers usually form one head while the smaller mid-sized sunflowers can form multiple heads which are perfect for attracting birds to your garden.
Sunflower seeds are usually a dark brown to black, or large, grey and white striped. The latter is the most popular for eating due, to their large size. Don't worry over selection. The birds will eat ample quantities of both, and so will you. Whether you are feeding the wildlife or not, there are plenty of wildlife that enjoy sunflower. They include all sorts of birds of course, squirrels, and rodents.
Sowing Sunflowers
It is best to sow sunflower seeds outdoors directly into the garden. After planting the sunflower seeds, be sure to cover them with a screen, as birds and other animals love to dig the seeds out of the soil. You may also start them in a seed bed and transfer them when they are really small.
If you plant sunflowers indoors, use individual peat pots. Start two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area. Plant one or two seeds per pot, thinning to one before planting outdoors.
Whether you plant directly outdoors or transplant them, make the final spacing as follows:
Giants: Space three feet apart in rows three to four feet apart.
Regular/Intermediate sizes: Space two feet apart in rows three feet apart.
Miniatures: Space one foot apart in rows three feet apart.
For individual planting, put the seedling or seeds in just about any sunny location. Plant either individual, in groups, or in patterns. Make sure they are visible from your deck, porch and windows.
Days to Maturity
70 to 90 days or more, depending upon the variety. Read the package for the specific time for the variety you acquire.
Growing Sunflowers
Sunflower plants grow well in average to rich soils. They need to grow their roots deep and wide, to enable them to withstand strong winds. If you have a choice, sandy soils are not recommended, as they are easily uprooted in loose soil. Rich soil is important, when growing giant varieties.
Deep roots help sunflowers to withstand most droughts. They will benefit from a dose of fertilizer when you apply it to the rest of your garden. Apply extra phosphorus and potassium when the flower bud begins to develop, to promote bigger blooms.
Tell a friend all about sunflowers!
Sunflower Varieties
Sunflowers are basically separated by size. The giant varieties grow over ten feet. Regular sunflowers typically grow from six to ten feet. Miniatures are gaining in popularity as borders. They are very popular in Asia, and grow two to four feet.
Most sunflowers form one big head or flower but some can form a few smaller heads that form on lower branches. The larger, giant sunflowers usually form one head while the smaller mid-sized sunflowers can form multiple heads which are perfect for attracting birds to your garden.
Sunflower seeds are usually a dark brown to black, or large, grey and white striped. The latter is the most popular for eating due, to their large size. Don't worry over selection. The birds will eat ample quantities of both, and so will you. Whether you are feeding the wildlife or not, there are plenty of wildlife that enjoy sunflower. They include all sorts of birds of course, squirrels, and rodents.
Sowing Sunflowers
It is best to sow sunflower seeds outdoors directly into the garden. After planting the sunflower seeds, be sure to cover them with a screen, as birds and other animals love to dig the seeds out of the soil. You may also start them in a seed bed and transfer them when they are really small.
If you plant sunflowers indoors, use individual peat pots. Start two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area. Plant one or two seeds per pot, thinning to one before planting outdoors.
Whether you plant directly outdoors or transplant them, make the final spacing as follows:
Giants: Space three feet apart in rows three to four feet apart.
Regular/Intermediate sizes: Space two feet apart in rows three feet apart.
Miniatures: Space one foot apart in rows three feet apart.
For individual planting, put the seedling or seeds in just about any sunny location. Plant either individual, in groups, or in patterns. Make sure they are visible from your deck, porch and windows.
Days to Maturity
70 to 90 days or more, depending upon the variety. Read the package for the specific time for the variety you acquire.
Growing Sunflowers
Sunflower plants grow well in average to rich soils. They need to grow their roots deep and wide, to enable them to withstand strong winds. If you have a choice, sandy soils are not recommended, as they are easily uprooted in loose soil. Rich soil is important, when growing giant varieties.
Deep roots help sunflowers to withstand most droughts. They will benefit from a dose of fertilizer when you apply it to the rest of your garden. Apply extra phosphorus and potassium when the flower bud begins to develop, to promote bigger blooms.
Tell a friend all about sunflowers!
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