Culture (Good to Know) |
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An easy and fast growing North American native that is multifunctional in the garden: providing food and cooking oil, a stunning ornamental, and attracting bees and other beneficial insects. Tall sunflowers proivde a support for runner and pole beans to grow up on. Sunflowers are sturdy plants and do well in most soil conditions. Our smaller varieties add colour and structure to the back of borders and make great cut flowers too. The taller ones are majestic, commanding attention and drawing the eye out and up. These are the stuff that magical childhood memories are made of, towering sunflowers reaching for the sky.
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When To Start |
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Sunflower seeds need warmth to germinate so direct seed from mid-April to mid-May a 1/2" deep. Leave a couple feet between plantings as sunflowers need space. Use an all purpose organic fertilizer about half way through the summer. For increased seed development mix a cup of borax into the soil where you'll be sowing. Seeds germinate 10 to 14 days after planting.
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Latin |
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Helianthus spp.
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Harvest |
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At the end of summer and into autumn, depending on when the seeds were planted, the sunflower seeds should be ready to harvest. Allow seed heads to dry on their stems. If necessary brown bag them to keep squirrels and birds away. The important thing is that as the plant dies back it has time to develop the seeds within their hulls. Afterwards cut off the heads, bring indoors, and (after completely drying out) the seeds can be removed by rubbing and pushing against them. Be careful not to store insects along with the seeds as they will likely eat them.
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