Growing Sunflowers Late in Summer - Is It Possible to Sow Sunflowers During Summer's Clutch?
In the heart of spring and summer, there's a familiar sight that brings joy to many gardens - the towering, golden heads of sunflowers. But when is the best time to plant these cheerful giants? The answer depends on your local climate, sunflower variety, and the desired blooming period.
To ensure a successful sunflower crop, it's essential to plant them after the last frost date. This date typically falls between early April and late May, depending on your region. By planting after this date, you give your sunflowers the best chance to thrive and mature before the first frost or cold weather arrives.
For an extended growing season and continuous blooms, consider planting successive batches every 1 to 2 weeks through summer, especially if you select different varieties with varied days to maturity. This way, you can enjoy sunflowers blooming from early summer all the way into autumn.
If you're planting sunflowers in June, they still have a good chance for successful bloom if the variety matures quickly (50-60 days). However, planting much later than early summer increases the risk of poor flowering before colder weather arrives.
Soil temperature plays a crucial role in sunflower germination. Ideally, the soil should be between 50°F and 60°F at planting.
For those seeking faster-maturing sunflowers, varieties like 'Teddy Bear' Sunflowers are a great choice. These charming dwarf sunflowers, known for their unique flower form and small size, can mature in as little as 65 days, making them ideal for use in pots and containers.
Some sunflower cultivars are better suited to late-season growth than others. 'Autumn Beauty' Sunflowers, for example, are a tall, branching variety that bloom in yellow, orange, and burgundy tones, with long stems suitable for cut arrangements or mixed borders. They have a maturity period of approximately 75-85 days.
When it comes to planting sunflowers later in the season, there are risks involved. Seeds may struggle to establish themselves, succumb to weed overgrowth or insect troubles, and produce smaller-than-usual flowers with poor seed set.
To help determine if it's too late to plant sunflowers, simply count backwards from the average first frost date in fall using the "days to maturity" on a seed packet. Direct sowing of sunflower seeds is a popular method, as it can be done once the soil has warmed and all chances of frost have passed.
For those who prefer to start their sunflowers indoors, this can be done no sooner than 1-2 weeks before the last predicted frost date. Keep in mind that the type and cultivar of sunflowers planted will play a role in their success when planted later in the season.
For those seeking sunflowers bred for cut flower production, the 'ProCut Series' Sunflowers offer day-neutral blooms that open uniformly 50-60 days from planting, and are available in a range of colors including pale yellow, orange, red, and bi-color types.
For those living in colder climates, fear not! Giant sunflowers from Park Seed are available for growth, offering the opportunity to cultivate these majestic flowers in your garden.
FAQs about sunflowers are available in the article for those seeking more information. Happy gardening!
To maximize sunflower growth and blooming, plant them after the last frost date, which typically falls between early April and late May. For an uninterrupted bloom, consider planting successive batches every 1-2 weeks throughout the summer by selecting varieties with varied maturity periods.
