Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
				P	P

(Best months for growing Sunflower in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Sow seed

Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 20 - 45 cm apart
Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Canada - Zone 6a Temperate Warm Summer climate): Any variety.
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20 May 23, David (USA - Zone 4b climate): Am in zone 4b. Is there a Sunflower I can plant that only gets 2 feet tall?
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06 Jul 23, Brayden (USA - Zone 8b climate): Botanical Interests has some good dwarf varieties like Sunspot Dwarf that grows 18-24" tall and is good for container planting
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12 Apr 23, Chris Harcoan (Australia - temperate climate): When is the best time to plant sunflowers in Mildura Victoria...
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03 Apr 23, Helene Snyders (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Where can I get seed of Sunflower Single Sunspot Helianthus annuus regards Helene Snyders
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19 Apr 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Maybe online
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05 Apr 23, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate): Try internet sites.
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24 Mar 23, Wayne Thresher (New Zealand - temperate climate): I lost most of my crop to the wet chill weather this past summer. I'll have to buy chook feed this year. Can anyone recommend the hardiest crop that can tough out changing climate. rainy, windy wet cold ... nevermind... I'm moving :) Same question for maize if you have knowledge
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27 Mar 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): The weather works against us sometimes.
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21 Feb 23, Jordan (USA - Zone 5b climate): Hi! We are looking to plant sunflowers from seeds in the North Shore of Chicago area, I believe we are zone 5b for zip code 60045. I have seen people reference "the guide" but am curious if someone could point me towards where I might find this magical panacea of information? Thank you! (Gardenate uses https://www.gardenate.com/zones/#zone-US)
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Showing 31 - 40 of 181 comments

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Replying to:

Sunflowers have multiple uses: edible oil, seeds to feed for livestock, snack seeds, flower production etc. You didn't mention your intended use. End use will impact cultivar selection. My best guess is you are trying for oil seeds -- since this is probably the most lucrative sunflower product. Most likely there are University studies for sunflowers in your area to help you with cultivar selection. Your looking for Sunflower seed trial results -- or something like that -- favoring agricultural publications and University papers over other sites. Many of these publications will not be applicable -- so it is a matter of wading through the various publications (from creditable and "neutral" sources) -- clearly much of the information will be "excessively detailed" -- but eventually, hopefully you will find a nice chart the compares the YIELDs for the various cultivars in your area, or an area similar to yours. My search engines always seem to throw me back to North America -- so I am unable to hunt down a good publication/article for you.

- Celeste Archer

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Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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