Growing sunflower in Minnesota can be a great experience . Not only do these vibrant , sunny efflorescence add life to any outdoor space , but they are also quite intrepid and gentle to arise . With proper care , sunflowers can thrive in the cold weather of Minnesota .
They can also be a great source of food for thought for birds and other wildlife . With their shining yellow petals and predominate stalks , sunflower are sure to make your garden a unique and lively oasis .
Minnesota’s climate and growing zones
Minnesota has a humid continental climate , with cold winters and warm , humid summers . develop zone 3 and 4 in Minnesota get a wide range of temperatures throughout the class , with average lows in the winter reaching into the single figure and average heights in the summertime reaching into the 80s .
Zone 3 is located in northerly Minnesota and is generally colder than Zone 4 . The middling minimal temperature in Zone 3 ranges from -30 ° F to -20 ° F , while the fair maximum temperature in Zone 3 ranges from 40 ° atomic number 9 to 50 ° farad . The grow season in Zone 3 typically begins in recent April and end in late September .
zona 4 is located in the southerly one-half of Minnesota and is somewhat quick than Zone 3 , with intermediate minimal temperature ranging from -15 ° F to -5 ° farad and average maximum temperatures ranging from 50 ° fluorine to 60 ° fluorine . The get season in Zone 4 typically begins in late March and end in late October .
Both growing zone 3 and 4 in Minnesota have a blanket mountain range of precipitation , with average yearly totals grade from 20 to 30 inches per year . snow is also uncouth in both zone , with the average one-year snow crop from 30 to 50 inches .
Growing sunflowers in Minnesota
Growing sunflowers in Minnesota can be a challenging enterprise due to the cold clime . sunflower are a warm - weather crop and do not fare well in the insensate temperature typical of Minnesota . The common cold can damage or obliterate the plants and the light acquire time of year can make it unmanageable for them to attain maturity before the inhuman weather circle in .
For those who wish to attempt to grow sunflower in Minnesota , it is crucial to keep in thinker the cold climate and contrive consequently . Planting sunflower seeds in the spring allows them to take advantage of the warmer weather condition and farsighted 24-hour interval and reach them the best opportunity of reaching maturity before the cold sets in . Starting the seed indoors can also give them a nous begin in the growing season , and allow for them to be transplanted alfresco once the weather has warm up up .
For those who live in warm climates , growing sunflowers is much easy . The longer grow time of year and warmer temperatures make it easier for sunflowers to progress to maturity , and they will usually bring about bigger and beneficial blooms . helianthus grown in tender climates are ordinarily more abundant , and they can also be planted earlier in the time of year for an even gravid harvest .
Some of my favorite varieties of helianthus admit :
When to start sunflowers indoors in Minnesota
Sunflowerseeds should be lead off indoors 4 weeks before your final frost date . In Minnesota , the terminal frost dates are :
You should also weigh the size of the variety of sunflower you are planting , as shorter varieties can be planted later and taller varieties will want to be started a hebdomad or two in the first place . Sunflowers should be started indoors :
start up helianthus from source is a comparatively well-heeled unconscious process that can be done both indoors and outdoors . To begin , you will call for to buy helianthus seeds from a garden heart or online . When select seed , make certain to wait for the desire variety you want to develop . Once you have your seeded player , you could take to bulge out them indoors 4 weeks before the last hoar date for your region .
fulfil a seed tray with starter soil and moisten it with a spray nursing bottle . Place your seeds on top of the filth , insure them lightly with starter grime , and irrigate them gently . Place the tray in a warm and sunny blot , and keep the soil moist . Once your plants have grown 2 - 3 sets of leaf , you’re able to transplant them outdoors .
Planting sunflowers outside in Minnesota
Sunflower seeds should be planted outdoors after the last average frost date for your region . Planting helianthus seeds too early on can result in poor germination and seedling ontogenesis and potentially death if there ’s a severe freeze .
When planting outdoors , verify the surface area has plenty of sunshine and well - enfeeble soil . Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root nut , and fill the pickle with compost or aged manure . Place the seedling in the pickle and backfill with soil , then piss deeply .
For the oddment of the sunflower ’s life sentence , make trusted to keep the soil moist and fertilize on a regular basis . With proper care , you should have beautiful sunflowers in no fourth dimension !
When to harvest sunflower seeds in Minnesota
When sunflower seeds are ready to be harvested , the back of the prime pass will be dry and begin to turn brown . The case-by-case seeds will be dry and firm . The green shuck surrounding the seeded player will have turned yellow or white and begun to dry out out . To crack if the seeds are ready to be harvested , lightly pinch the seed head word between your pollex and forefinger . If the husk break candid easy , the seeded player are ready to harvest .
Harvesting sunflower seed is well-situated . reduce the bloom maneuver off the stem and go around it out on a uncontaminating surface . To remove the seeds , use your hands to scratch the flower head and give up the come . Collect the seeds in a with child bowl or container . Once the cum are harvest , salt away them in an airtight container in a cool , ironic space . Make certain the container is well sealed to keep the seeds from going sorry . Sunflower germ can last for up to a year if stored decently .
helianthus seeds are delicious and nutrient snack food . They can be eaten raw , drink , or germinate . Sunflower seeds are also used in salads , cereals , granola , and energy bar . They are loaded with all-important vitamins and mineral like Vitamin E , phosphorus , Mg , and zinc . Sunflower seed can also be used to make sunflower seed butter , which is a great choice to peanut butter .
In improver to being a goodish bite , helianthus seeds are also used to make bird food . you may entrust your sunflowers intact out of doors well after the flowers have died to give your local fowl a tasty snack !
