Planters Sunflower Planting

LouieJunior · Mar 31, 2014

I have a new single row, 3-point planter I'd like to use to plant a few acres of sunflowers. The planter has a delivery mechanism for fertilizer too.
My plan is to plant the rows far enough apart so I can mow between the rows -- about 7 feet or so. Can somebody help me out on the fertilizer -- or is that too big of an unknown here? I have tried broadcasting the seeds in the past without much luck.

smstonypoint · Mar 31, 2014

You need a soil test to determine the required lime and fertilizer application rates for your particular situation.

Steve

Here's a listing of soil test labs in Illinois: Listing of Soil Testing Labs.

Capt Dan · Apr 1, 2014

Hi Louie,

Just read your plan for Sunflowers and sounds really neat. I tried planting Sunflowers for a few years and need to let you know my problems. I live near LeClaire so we are close. I tried planting Giant Grey Stripe sunflowers for a few years. 6 rows by 50 foot long. All the leaves were getting eaten before the plants could get to two feet tall. Thought it was deer or rabbits until I saw the groundhogs from the second story windows. Just wanted to let you know since you already have groundhog problems.

Whats interesting is I don't think they like the Black Oil Sunflowers. I planted them in the same spot and they left them alone. Just didn't have the look I wanted. May have to try it again.

If you do plant a lot, post pictures in fall.

Dan

LouieJunior · Apr 1, 2014

Capt. Dan said:
Hi Louie,

Just read your plan for Sunflowers and sounds really neat. I tried planting Sunflowers for a few years and need to let you know my problems. I live near LeClaire so we are close. I tried planting Giant Grey Stripe sunflowers for a few years. 6 rows by 50 foot long. All the leaves were getting eaten before the plants could get to two feet tall. Thought it was deer or rabbits until I saw the groundhogs from the second story windows. Just wanted to let you know since you already have groundhog problems.

Whats interesting is I don't think they like the Black Oil Sunflowers. I planted them in the same spot and they left them alone. Just didn't have the look I wanted. May have to try it again.

If you do plant a lot, post pictures in fall.

Dan

Thanks Neighbor Dan,

My only speeding ticket ever was in LeClaire, IA.
The sunflower variety I purchased is called "Dove Candy" and they are supposed to grow much bigger than the Black Oil plants commonly used in backyard feeders. The groundhogs are in my pole barn -- quite a distance from my proposed sunflower plot. Still, you've supplied even more incentive for me to rid the entire property of ground hogs. Thanks!
I am going to follow-up with the soil testing suggested above and make a whole-hearted attempt at this crop. I'm more of a woodsman than a farmer, but one has to start somewhere.

LouieJunior · Jul 22, 2014

Just took the following video clip...

http://youtu.be/MqYNfKRaQF4

my "dove Candy" Sunflowers have bloomed and looking good! Hoping for lots of fat birds this fall!