Growing sunflowers in Oklahoma is a wonderful experience . Oklahoma ’s temperate climate and long summers provide ideal conditions for grow sunflower . With plenty of sunlight , plentifulness of rainfall , and great deal of grime to ferment with , Oklahoma is a big place to grow sunflower . You ’ll have muckle of meter to get them in the background before the heating system of the summer sets in .
sunflower thrive in Oklahoma ’s warm temperature , and with a fiddling care , you could enjoy big , beautiful blossom in your garden . helianthus also attract bird and other pollinators , making them a great option for a backyard wildlife home ground . Plus , you ’ll be capable to enjoy the gay yellow blooms all summertime long !
Oklahoma climate and growing zones
Zone 6 is locate in the cardinal and westerly theatrical role of the res publica . This zona has cold winters and red-hot summers , with temperatures ranging from -10 ° F to 97 ° fluorine . During the wintertime , this zone receives about 25 inches of snow per year . The grow time of year in Zone 6 lasts from April to October . This zona is great for originate a variety of vegetable and fruit , as well as trees and shrub .
Zone 7 is in the northern and eastern parts of the nation . This zona has soft wintertime and hot summers , with temperatures range from -5 ° F to 96 ° farad . During the wintertime , this zone receives about 20 inches of snow per year . The originate time of year in Zone 7 live from April to October . This zone is smashing for growing a variety of veggie , fruits , and flowers . Trees and shrubs can also be grown in this zone .
geographical zone 8 is in the southerly part of the state . This zona has warm winter and red-hot summers , with temperatures ranging from 15 ° F to 100 ° F . During the winter , this zone get about 10 in of snowfall per class . The growing season in Zone 8 lasts from April to October . This zona is capital for growing a variety of veggie , fruits , and peak . Trees and shrubs can also be spring up in this geographical zone .
Growing sunflowers in Oklahoma
In the warmer months , sunflowers flourish in Oklahoma . During the summertime months , temperatures can reach 90 level Fahrenheit or high . sunflower require deal of sunlight and access to plentifulness of piddle to grow . This means that Oklahoma ’s strong clime is perfect for sunflowers . It is important to prefer a cheery place in your garden , as sunflowers call for direct sun to boom . Be sure to water your sunflower plants on a regular basis and give them plenitude of fertiliser to get the best final result .
In the cold months , sunflower in Oklahoma may struggle . When temperature dip below freeze , helianthus may not live on . To protect your plants from the coldness , it is authoritative to enshroud them with a cover or tarp during nights when temperatures are below freezing . It is also important to choose a diverseness of sunflower that is stout enough to hold up the cold temperatures of Oklahoma .
Some of my favored mixed bag of sunflower include :
When to start sunflowers indoors in Oklahoma
Sunflowerseeds should be start indoors 4 hebdomad before your terminal frost date . In Oklahoma , the final Robert Frost appointment are :
You should also consider the size of the motley of helianthus you are planting , as inadequate variety can be plant subsequently and taller varieties will require to be started a hebdomad or two earlier . Sunflowers should be started indoors :
Starting sunflower from ejaculate is a comparatively easy unconscious process that can be done both indoors and outdoors . To set about , you will involve to purchase helianthus seeded player from a garden marrow or online . When selecting seeds , make certain to wait for the desired miscellany you want to produce . Once you have your seeds , you could choose to start them indoors 4 week before the last frost date for your region .
meet a germ tray with starter soil and moisten it with a spray bottle . rank your seeds on top of the territory , cover them light with starter dirt , and irrigate them gently . rank the tray in a lovesome and sunny position , and keep the soil moist . Once your plant have grow 2 - 3 sets of leaves , you may transfer them outdoors .
Planting sunflowers outside in Oklahoma
Sunflower seeds should be implant outside after the last average frost date for your area . Planting sunflower seed too early on can leave in poor sprouting and seedling increment and potentially end if there ’s a hard frost .
When planting outdoors , make certain the sphere has plenty of cheer and well - debilitate soil . compass a hole that is twice the size of the root testicle , and fill up the golf hole with compost or aged manure . pose the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil , then water deeply .
For the remainder of the sunflower ’s life , verify to keep the soil moist and fertilize on a regular basis . With right concern , you should have beautiful sunflowers in no meter !
When to harvest sunflower seeds in Oklahoma
When sunflower seeds are ready to be harvested , the back of the flower oral sex will be dry and commence to turn chocolate-brown . The individual seeds will be dry and firm . The green husks surrounding the seeded player will have turned yellow or white and begin to dry out . To see if the seed are quick to be harvest , light pinch the semen read/write head between your thumb and index . If the husks break loose well , the seeds are ready to glean .
Harvesting helianthus seeds is easy . Cut the flower head off the stem and spread it out on a clean surface . To withdraw the seed , use your hands to rub the peak head and release the seed . Collect the seeds in a large stadium or container . Once the seeds are harvested , store them in an airtight container in a cool , dry place . verify the container is well varnish to keep the seeds from going defective . Sunflower seeds can last for up to a class if stored decently .
Sunflower seeds are delightful and nutritious bite food . They can be eaten raw , toasted , or sprouted . helianthus seminal fluid are also used in salads , grain , granola , and energy bars . They are loaded with essential vitamin and minerals like Vitamin E , phosphorus , magnesium , and zinc . Sunflower come can also be used to make sunflower seed butter , which is a great option to Arachis hypogaea butter .
In accession to being a healthy snack , helianthus seminal fluid are also used to make bird food . you may leave your sunflowers intact out of doors well after the flowers have died to give your local hoot a tasty snack !
