Black oil Sunflower

Helianthus annus

Min Qty: 10 g

Description: Grow your own bird (and squirrel) seed or learn to press fresh sunflower oil. 4-5' bright plants bring joy to any garden landscape. Softer shell and meatier seed than grey strip, and loaded with oil and energy that birds love.

Planting Instructions: 100 days. Plant in well-prepared soil after the danger of last frost and soil temps warm up to 70F. Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Sow clusters of 3 or 4 seeds each in holes 1-1/2" deep 6 to 12" apart. Thin seedlings to the strongest plant when they're 3-4" tall (cut weaker seedlings with shears rather than pulling them to prevent disturbing the root structure of the strongest seedling). Mound soil up around remaining seedlings. You may need to stake the stalks when the heads become heavy to keep them from falling over. Cover the flower heads with cheescloth once the petals fall off to allow the seeds to dry and to prevent birds from snacking early.