what to do with sunflowers

Sunflowers can be used for cut flower arrangements, sunflower seed harvesting and, after they're mature, feeding animals.

Varieties of Sunflowers.
Cutting Sunflowers for Arrangements.
Harvesting Sunflower Seeds.
Sunflower Pest Protection.
Sunflower Seed Preparation.
Feeding Sunflower Seeds to Animals.

What can you make out of sunflowers?

Sunflower leaves can be used as a greens for salad, boiled in the same way you might cook spinach, or even baked like kale chips. The leaves are also used as an herbal supplement, with the leaves steeped to make tea.

What to do with sunflowers when they die?

3 ways you can keep using your sunflower after it's died...

Harvest and roast the seeds and sprinkle on salads or enjoy as a healthy, tasty snack. (Seeds are generally ready to harvest when the head turns brown on the back.)

When should I cut down my sunflowers?

Perennial sunflower stalks are pruned in spring before they begin to bud; avoid pruning annuals, which can kill them. Perennial stems can be reduced by half or more in late spring or early summer to reduce the mature flower's height and avoid the need for staking.

Do sunflowers grow back each year?

Are sunflowers annuals or perennials? While most varieties of this bright beauty are annual sunflowers, meaning they will not come back the following growing season, they may self-germinate from dropped seeds if you leave the heads on the plants throughout the winter.

Are sunflower stalks good for anything?

The stalks can be cut down and used to make trellises and many other items. You may also find that dried sunflower stems are useful for making musical instruments and cooking utensils. After harvesting the heads, some people also leave the stalks in the garden.

Can you eat the head of a sunflower?

Grilled Sunflower Head is amazing! Eat like corn on the cob or use a fork to separate the cooked seeds from the flower head.

Do sunflowers grow back after they die?

Sunflowers grown as annuals die after producing their flower heads go to seed. They do not grow and bloom again. ... A few types of sunflowers, however, can be grown as perennials, which means they will grow more flowers again the next season.

Do sunflowers come back after they die?

Sunflowers grown as annuals die after producing their flower heads go to seed. They do not grow and bloom again. These are usually the varieties cultivated for their large size, showy flower heads and edible seeds.

Can you replant a cut sunflower?

Newly rooted softwood cuttings need extra care before transplanting, and sunflower cuttings are not different. Keep them under light, dappled shade for the first week, and then slowly acclimate them to direct sun. ... Transplant the cuttings once they can stand direct sun for at least six hours without wilting.

Should I cut the heads off my sunflowers?

To prevent reseeding, remove spent sunflower heads before they go to seed. Alternatively, leave the flowers on the plant if you'd like to collect seeds for future planting or to save as food for wildlife. Frequent deadheading results in healthy, full sunflower plants.

Why are my sunflower seeds empty?

Another common reason why you may not see any seeds on the sunflower is simply lack of pollination. ... It might be there are limited bees and insects in the area, and not enough to pollinate all the seeds. Ideally, the sunflowers need to be within 300 feet of a beehive to have enough chance of bee pollination.

Why do sunflowers droop?

When a sunflowers head has completely bloomed, when it's been pollinated and becomes heavy with seeds, then it's perfectly normal for the head to bend over and droop down. The heaviness is one thing and the reason for it is so the seeds can fall to the ground so they can nestle there and grow the following year.

How long is the lifespan of a sunflower?

Quick Guide

Symbolism:	Adoration, Longevity
Native Origin:	North America
Blooming Season:	Summer, Fall
Average Life:	1 to 2 Weeks

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?

It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. ... After soaking your seeds, they can be planted as directed. The benefit of soaking seeds before planting is that your germination time will be reduced, which means you can have happy, growing plants faster.

What month do you plant sunflowers?

When growing sunflowers, you can generally plant the seeds from early March to mid-May, but this will differ by variety so always check the seed packet.

What do farmers do with sunflower stalks?

Industrial agriculture can upcycle the stems and add them as a component of thermal insulation, along with other plant byproducts. On the hobby farm scale, sunflower stalks provide a great natural trellis. The traditional companion planting of the Three Sisters is most commonly thought of as corn, beans and squash.

Are sunflowers poisonous?

Despite rumors that cheery, bright sunflowers are poisonous, there's no truth to the claim. Sunflowers are not only perfectly safe for humans, but also non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, according to the ASPCA. ... However, some people report experiencing contact dermatitis when handling sunflowers.

How do you get rid of sunflower stalks?

Cut the sunflower stalk and foliage to the ground. For tall varieties with thick stems, you may need to use lopping shears. Otherwise, a pair of garden clippers or pruning shears should be enough.

Can I eat raw sunflower seeds?

You can eat sunflower seeds raw or buy dry roasted seeds with or without the shell. They also come in flavored varieties.

What do sunflowers smell like?

They smell vegetal like anything else that grows in the ground, but the blossoms don't smell "floral". And they don't even have a distinctive non-floral scent like chrysanthemums, although I will go smell some sunflowers while I'm out today, just to refresh my memory.