When is the best time to plant sunflowers in Wisconsin? What to know about growing, how long they last.
You won't start seeing those beautiful sunflowers in bloom for a couple more months in Wisconsin, but if you're growing your own you might want to get started on planting now.
Here's what you should know about sunflowers in Wisconsin.
When is the best time to plant sunflower seeds in Wisconsin?
Late spring in Wisconsin (mid to late May in the southern part of the state and early June in northern Wisconsin) is the optimal time since the best growth for sunflowers is when temperatures are between 70 to 78 degrees, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. But they can still grow in cooler or warmer climates.
But as a best practice, for annual sunflowers, waiting until the last frost has passed is the best time to plant. We should be safe now.
The sunflower is not considered highly drought tolerant.
How long do sunflowers last in Wisconsin?
Sunflowers can be both annuals and perennials.
Annuals bloom during the summer and early fall, according to Garden Design.com, a website dedicated to flowering and gardening, while perennial sunflowers bloom for eight to 12 weeks with some beginning as early as July and lasting until October.
You can tell if a sunflower is an annual if its botanical name is labeled as "H. annuus."
How far should you plant sunflower seeds from each other?
At least 2 to 3 feet for giant sunflowers.
How should I care for my sunflower?
You'll want to water around the root at the beginning and then less frequently as the plant grows. Fertilization isn't needed, wisconsinpollinators.com notes.
Do deer eat sunflowers?
If deer populate your backyard you might want to think again about planting sunflowers or keep an extra eye on them.
Deer are big fans of the sunflower leaves and will gladly gobble them up, according to the conserve-energy future website.
How do bees and birds affect sunflowers?
Since bees carry pollen from plant to plant, bees are an asset to sunflowers. Birds, however, can be huge problems for sunflowers, UW Extension's site explains.
What sunflowers are native to Wisconsin?
The ox eye sunflower, showy sunflower, woodland sunflower and western sunflower.
Where can I see sunflowers in Wisconsin?
If you're not planting your own sunflowers, Wisconsin has some great sunflower farms to visit.
Thompson Strawberry Farm, 14000 75th St., in Bristol has become a popular destination and is now known for a lot more than strawberries.
The sunflower farm is open from late July through October.
Lannon Sunflower Farm in Menomonee Falls, Schuster's Farm in Deerfield and Jerry Smith Farm in Kenosha are also three of the more popular places to check out sunflowers in southern Wisconsin.
More: 23 great, mostly new plants for Wisconsin in 2023
More: Micro prairies: No yard is too small to go with earth-friendly native plants
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When is best time to plant sunflowers in Wisconsin? What to know.
