
Details
Black Oil Sunflower, an open-pollinated variety, is versatile, suitable for seed or oil production, and serves as an effective warm-season cover crop for soil purification and nutrient scavenging. Its black seeds, meatier and oil-rich compared to other sunflower types, are primarily harvested for oil production and bird feed. This variety is characterized by yellow flowers with golden brown centers that mature to black, proving it's more than just an aesthetically pleasing plant by provides food for both humans and wildlife. Sunflowers boast a vast root system capable of absorbing nutrients unreachable to other crops, making them ideal for short growing seasons and resilient in adverse conditions. Similar to corn in planting and harvesting techniques, sunflowers attract a host of pollinators and beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity in agricultural settings. Additionally, when used in cover crop mixtures, sunflowers promote the growth of under-canopy plants by providing necessary structure and contributing significant biomass for forage or silage, showcasing their multifaceted benefits for farming and wildlife ecosystems.
Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
Additional Info
Botanical Name | Helianthus annuus |
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Life Cycle | Annual |
Min. Time to Germinate | 7 Days |
Max. Time to Germinate | 10 Days |
Depth to Sow Seeds | 1/2 in. |
When to Sow | Indoors 2-4 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
Minimum Seed Spacing | 1" |
Growing Height | 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) |
Plant Spacing | 9-12 in. (22-30 cm) |
Hardiness | N/A |
Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
Danger | N/A |
Bloom Color | Bright Yellow |
Bloom Time | Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
Foliage | Chartreuse (Yellow-Green), Herbaceous |
Other Details | Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, Flowers are good for cutting, This plant is resistant to deer |
Soil pH Requirements | 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline), 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) |
Propagation Methods | From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
Seed Collecting | Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed |
Seeds Per Pack | 25 |