By Melinda Myers, Gardening Author and Columnist
Republished by Travels With The Post
MUKWONAGO WI – Sunflowers are among those happy plants many gardeners can’t resist planting. So here’s good news: they still have time to sow some.
Kids love to watch the plants reach for the sky, and everyone enjoys all the visitors. You are likely to see hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators on the flowers; songbirds munching on the seeds; and squirrels practicing acrobatic contortions as they try to gain their fair share of the harvest.
What is called “the flower” actually consists of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers. The large petals are infertile ray flowers that do not develop into seeds. The center consists of fertile disk flowers, which develop into seeds after pollination occurs.
These versatile plants tolerate a wide range of soils, are drought tolerant, and have been used by people for more than 4,000 years. Native Americans relied on the flowers for pigments, seeds for food, and their dried stems for construction and fuel. Today millions of acres of sunflowers are grown for edible seeds, oil, and birdseed.
All the more reason to get planting.
Simple Math, Beautiful Blossoms
Just check sunflower seed packets for the number of days from planting seed until bloom. You’ll find varieties that mature in as few as 55 days, while others need as many as 120 days to flower.
Start planting sunflower seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed and soil is about 60°F. Extend the bloom time by making additional plantings, allowing enough time for the plants to flower before fall’s first frost.
Protect seeds and seedlings from birds and other critters. Cover the area with a floating row cover – a spun fabric that lets air, light and water through to the plants – or some type of netting or screen. Plant seeds one to two inches deep and six inches apart, in rows two to three feet apart. Remove every other seedling once they are several inches tall.
Also, protect young plants from deer as needed. They can quickly destroy young plants, so consider using a repellent or fencing if deer are a problem in your area.
Water often enough to keep the soil moist around the seeds and young seedlings. Gradually extend the time between watering to encourage the plants to grow a robust root system. Continue to water thoroughly as needed throughout the growing season.
Fertilize at planting and make a second application mid-summer if needed. Follow the fertilizer label directions for proper timing and rates.
Can Staking Help? Maybe
Staking usually isn’t needed to support even taller varieties unless, sunflowers are growing in a windy location, or are overcrowded. Use a metal or wood stake placed close to the stem if you need to stake the plants. Secure the plant to the stake using twine or soft ties made from cloth.
As the flowers appear, watch them track the sun from east to west and return facing east each morning. Scientists recently discovered the young plant’s sun-tracking, called heliotropism, is tied to its circadian rhythms. One side of the stem elongates during the day and the other side at night, directing the flower toward the sun.
As the flowers mature they stay facing east, helping to attract pollinators like bees to the warmer flower surface.
Enjoy watching your sunflowers sprout, grow and flower. Take time to observe the many visitors to the blooms, and be sure to harvest a few seeds for snacking!
About the Author
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition,” “MN & WI Month-by-Month Gardening,” and “Small Space Gardening.” She hosts The Great Courses instant video series, titled “How to Grow Anything,” as well as the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for “Birds & Blooms” magazine.
Her website features gardening videos, audio tips, free webinars, monthly gardening tips, and other gardening information.
Concert Bell Sunflower photo by All America Selections, provided to Travels With The Post
Garden tools photo by Cj on Unsplash+, used under license
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