grow sunflowers in Colorado can be a truly rewarding experience ! With its modest summer temperatures and plenty of cheer , Centennial State is an idealistic place to grow helianthus . sunflower are incredibly easy to grow , making them a great choice for beginner gardeners and experienced greenish ovolo alike .
With their lustrous and cheerful blooms , helianthus can bring a splash of colour to any garden . Plus , their seeds are a alimentary snack and their oil is a not bad cooking ingredient . With so many welfare , it ’s no wonder that helianthus are such a popular choice for Colorado gardeners !
Colorado climate and growing zones
Colorado is a diverse body politic with clime range from hot desert to high mickle orbit , with many growing zone in between . In ecumenical , the state has a semi - arid climate , with mild winters and warm summers . Growing zone 3 through 7 stand for some of the most divers and rich growing areas of Colorado .
Zone 3 , locate in the northerly and fundamental part of the Department of State , has cold winters and unforesightful arise seasons .
geographical zone 4 , located in central Colorado , has mild winters and longer growing seasons .
In Zone 5 , situate in the southerly part of the state , has hot summertime and longer produce season .
In Zone 6 , located in the western part of the state , inhuman wintertime and raging summer make moderately challenging conditions for grow .
Zone 7 , located in the western and southern function of the state , has spicy summertime and mild wintertime , making it an idealistic localization for a wide variety of crops .
Growing sunflowers in Colorado
Growing sunflowers in Colorado can be a rewarding experience . helianthus thrive in warm climate , so Colorado ’s cooler temperatures can make growing them more difficult . However , with the correct grunge , plenty of sun , and persevering care , it is potential to make sunflower develop in a Colorado clime .
The key to growing helianthus in Colorado is to choose a variety suit to the climate . Sunflowers are uncommitted in many different sizes and gloss , so find one that can withstand cold-blooded temperature is crucial . Look for helianthus varieties that are engender for cold mood and are wintertime - hardy . to thrive , sunflowers need mint of sun .
The best time to imbed sunflowers in Colorado is in the spring when mean solar day are long and the sun is warm . Choose a spot that produce at least 6 hour of verbatim sun per day . The soil in Colorado can be rough and dry , so it ’s crucial to ensure your soil is well - draining and has plenty of nutrients . supply compost or other constitutive issue can assist create a healthy soil surround .
Sunflowers do best in soil with a pH of 6 to 8 . When it comes to lachrymation , it is important to keep your helianthus well - watered . However , it is important to avoid over - tearing , as sunflowers are susceptible to theme rot . Aim to water your helianthus once a week , or more in hot atmospheric condition .
Some of my favorite varieties of sunflower include :
When to start sunflowers indoors in Colorado
Sunflowerseeds should be bulge out indoors 4 calendar week before your concluding frost particular date . In Colorado , the last hoar dates are :
You should also take the size of the variety of sunflower you are planting , as shorter miscellany can be planted subsequently and taller miscellanea will need to be started a week or two earlier . sunflower should be started indoors :
Starting helianthus from germ is a comparatively sluttish process that can be done both indoors and outdoors . To begin , you will need to buy helianthus seeds from a garden core or online . When selecting seed , verify to look for the desired variety you desire to uprise . Once you have your seeds , you’re able to choose to take up them indoors 4 weeks before the last icing date for your region .
sate a seed tray with starter soil and dampen it with a spray bottle . Place your seed on top of the soil , cover them lightly with starter soil , and water them gently . Place the tray in a warm and cheery spot , and keep the grunge moist . Once your plants have grown 2 - 3 sets of leaves , you could transpose them outdoors .
Planting sunflowers outside in Colorado
Sunflower seeds should be plant out of doors after the last average icing date for your area . Planting sunflower seed too early can result in poor sprouting and seedling increase and potentially expiry if there ’s a hard frost .
When planting outdoors , ensure the area has plenty of sunshine and well - draining grime . fag a jam that is twice the sizing of the root ball , and fill the hole with compost or aged manure . put the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil , then water deep .
For the remainder of the sunflower ’s lifetime , ensure to keep the grease moist and fertilise regularly . With right care , you should have beautiful sunflowers in no clock time !
When to harvest sunflower seeds in Colorado
When helianthus seeds are quick to be harvested , the back of the bloom head will be dry and start out to turn brown . The individual seeds will be dry and firm . The green husks surrounding the ejaculate will have turned yellow or livid and begin to dry out . To hold if the seed are quick to be harvested , lightly pinch the seed head between your quarter round and index finger . If the shuck break open easily , the seed are ready to reap .
Harvesting sunflower seeds is easy . Cut the flower head up off the bow and propagate it out on a clean open . To get rid of the seeds , use your hand to rub the flower psyche and loose the seed . Collect the seeds in a large bowling ball or container . Once the seeds are harvested , stash away them in an airtight container in a cool , ironical place . Make certain the container is well sealed to keep the seeds from going bad . Sunflower ejaculate can last for up to a twelvemonth if salt away properly .
Sunflower seeds are delicious and nutritious bite food . They can be eaten raw , toasted , or sprouted . helianthus seeds are also used in salad , cereals , granola , and vim bars . They are loaded with essential vitamin and mineral like Vitamin E , phosphorus , Mg , and zinc . Sunflower seeds can also be used to make helianthus germ butter , which is a great choice to peanut butter .
In addition to being a healthy snack , helianthus seeds are also used to make bird food . you could leave your helianthus entire outdoors well after the blossom have break to give your local birds a tasty snack !
