Sunflowers — FarmPal
Cheerful giants that bring joy and feed pollinators and birds.
Sun
full
Water
moderate
Spacing
Single stem: 6 inches. Branching: 18-24 inches
Days to Harvest
70-100 days to maturity
Planting Depth
1-2 inches deep
Companion Plants
Cucumbers
Corn
Squash
Lettuce (for shade)
Avoid Planting Near
Pole beans (allelopathic)
Common Pests
Aphids
Sunflower moths
Birds
Squirrels
Diseases to Watch
Rust
Downy mildew
Sclerotinia head rot
Growing Tips
- •Direct sow after last frost
- •Stake tall varieties before they fall
- •Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous blooms
- •Leave seed heads for birds in fall
- •Great trap crop for aphids
Harvesting
- •Cut stems in morning for longest vase life
- •For bouquets, cut when petals are just opening
- •For seeds, wait until back of head turns brown
- •Cover heads with cheesecloth to prevent bird theft
Storage
Vase life 7-10 days. Dry seeds for eating or planting.
Varieties
Mammoth Russian
Classic giant. Up to 12 feet. Large seeds.
Teddy Bear
Dwarf, fluffy, pollen-free. Container friendly.
ProCut Orange
Professional quality. Pollen-free. Single stem.
Autumn Beauty
Mix of fall colors. Branching type.
Italian White
Pale cream petals. Dark centers. Elegant.