How to Grow Black Oil Sunflowers
Black oil sunflowers are better recognized as the traditional, long-stalked, large headed sunflowers. These 6-foot tall, or more, plants grow flower centers of black seeded treats used in bird seed and as people snacks. Black sunflower oil is used for cooking. This flower germinates easily and is fun to grow. Growing the black oil sunflower is a great first teaching project for young gardeners. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Garden spade
- Garden hoe
- Garden rake
- Compost
- Water sprayer hose attachment
Instructions
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Choose a location that receives at least six full hours of sunlight per day. Sunflowers love sunshine.
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Dig down to a depth of about 1 foot, breaking up the soil. Remove any weeds and rocks.
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Pour a 1 to 2-inch layer of compost over the worked soil. Work the compost into the soil all the way down to the bottom of the worked area. Rake the area even.
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Form a small mound of about 4 or 5 inches high. Make a 1-inch deep indention, in the center, with your finger. Drop a black oil sunflower seed into the hole. Smooth soil over the seeded hole.
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Form another mound about a foot away and repeat the seeding process. Repeat this process for as many sunflowers as you would like, spaced 1 to 2 feet from each other.
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Sprinkle water over the planted area. Use a gentle spray, so as not to unearth the seeds. Spray water over the area each day, making sure the soil stays moist. The sunflower seeds need to stay moist in order to germinate.
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Continue to spray water over the planted area as the seedlings grow into tall stalks topped with black oil sunflower blooms. The frequency of watering, after seed germination, depends upon the weather in your location. Keep the soil moist, but never water to the point of making a muddy bog.
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Tips & Warnings
It takes about 90 days for the sunflowers to reach maturity. If you live in a place that has a growing season less than 90 days, start the seeds indoors. Transplant the seedlings after the last frost.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
