Holly's Homestead — Grain & Staple
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus · Daisy family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown, warm season
MATURITY 80–120 days
TYPE Annual, direct sown, warm season
MATURITY 80–120 days
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Spacing
30–45cm
Depth
2–3cm
01Grown for seed and oil
Beyond a cheerful garden feature, sunflower heads produce a substantial crop of seed for eating, oil pressing, or poultry feed — a useful homestead crop.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow once frost risk has passed.
Soil
Well-drained, tolerates a range of soils.
Timing
Sow in spring.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Water regularly while establishing, then reduce — deep roots find their own moisture.
- Stake very tall varieties in windy positions.
- Protect developing seed heads from birds if you want to harvest seed yourself.
- Support heavy heads if needed as seed fills.
04Problems
- Birds — will strip a ripening head quickly; net if harvesting for yourself.
- Powdery mildew — late-season on leaves; largely cosmetic.
- Stem lodging — wind damage on tall varieties; stake if exposed.
- Few significant pests otherwise — a generally easy crop.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Back of the head turns brown/yellow, seeds are plump and firm.
Method
Cut the whole head, hang to finish drying.
Curing
Dry heads fully before rubbing out seed.
Storage
Airtight, cool, dark — keeps many months.
Preserving
See Dehydrating (drying grains fully for storage) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
CucumberCornAvoid nearby
Potato (some allelopathic effect)Rotation note
Rotate with legumes; heavy feeder.
