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 Jul 21, Anon (USA - Zone 11b climate)
The longer you leave to transplant something the harder it is to have it survive. The roots can not take up enough water to keep a full grown plant a live. In zone 9b you should have harvested the sunflower by now. You transplant when plants are young 2-6 new leaf stage
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07 Jul 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If they survive the move and don't have too much root damage, then water every two to three days. to keep the roots damp but not swamped.
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05 May 21, Lisa (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
My sunflower seedlings are ready to plant outside. Can they withstand a little frost ? Or should I wait to transplant until the end of may
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06 May 21, Anonymous (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Probably you could wait another week or two. Judge by your local conditions.
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07 Apr 21, Donna Mourra (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I'm looking for a sunflower plant for Zone 10
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08 Apr 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Google a sunflower seed selling website and pick one out.
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30 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I live in Cleveland ohio. Wanted to know if I can grow sun flowers here
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03 Apr 21, aurora (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Yes! I've visited Cleveland countless times and I've been to a sunflower field there :)
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31 Mar 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You can work out your climate zone from the blue tab then go to sunflower page.
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27 Dec 20, Tess (Australia - tropical climate)
I live on Horn Island on the tip of Cape York, is the best time to plant the seeds after the wet season in April?
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Showing 61 - 70 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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