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 genuinely useful homestead crop.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow once frost risk has passed.
Soil
Well-drained, tolerates a range of soils.
Timing
Sow in spring.
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.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
CucumberCornAvoid nearby
Potato (some allelopathic effect)Rotation note
Rotate with legumes; heavy feeder.