Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N 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 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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10 May 14, robert tshivhidzo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
i need to be one of sunflower growering i need your help
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10 May 14, dan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm planning for wedding on october 11. I'd love to have a big patch of flowering sunflowers. It's in Lennox Head (near Byron) When would be a good time to plant?
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16 Aug 14, Pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Dan, I'm only going from the 10-12 weeks to harvest in the description, but if you want them for the end of September, you better get them in the ground ASAP! Unless you buy seedlings, in which case they could be anywhere from 2-4 weeks old.
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05 Dec 13, Tony Sieh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Dear Sir/Madam, I am exploring the possibility of grow South African species of sunflower in Malaysia. From what I have heard, South African sunflower is ideal for the South East Asia climate as well. Is there any expert who I can talk to about this? Where can I get the seedlings? Thank you so much for helping! Regards, Tony
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21 Jul 13, Peter Smith (Australia - temperate climate)
The cheapest place I've found to get sunflower seeds is in the birdseed section of the supermarket. The ones I bought came up well. There were two varieties; ones with a single large flower and ones with multiple smaller flowers. One bag gave enough seeds for me and to supply every gardener I know.
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22 Jul 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes - those seeds grow really well!
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11 Jul 13, Rule the world (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Sunflowers, Grow for your chooks. They love them!
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11 Apr 13, carine ferreira (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
planted sunflowers in pots 10 april want flowers to be at their peak 23 june. Think we ll be ok?
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31 Jan 13, Pam (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I transplanted 150 Sunflower seedlings and now have lovely big strong plants and lots of flowers out. Hasnt affected mine any.
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16 Jan 13, koos (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
best seeds to eat
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Showing 131 - 140 of 181 comments
See comments for all plants

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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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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