Growing sunflowers in Alaska may seem like an unlikely endeavor, but it can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Sunflowers are a beautiful and hardy flower variety that thrives even in the cold climate of Alaska.
Not only will you enjoy the beauty of these vibrant flowers in your garden, but you can also reap the benefits of their edible seeds and use them for a variety of culinary and craft projects. With the proper care, you can easily grow sunflowers in Alaska and enjoy them for years to come.
Alaska’s climate and growing zones
Zone 1a, which is the coldest zone in the state, includes parts of the extreme northern parts of Alaska, including Barrow, Kotzebue, and Nome. This zone experiences long, very cold winters and short, cool summers, with temperatures rarely exceeding 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants are limited in this zone, but some species of evergreens, small shrubs, and grasses can survive in this harsh environment.
Zone 2a is slightly warmer than zone 1a, and includes parts of Fairbanks and the Interior. This zone has cold winters and short summers, with temperatures rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This zone is better suited for plant life, and a number of small shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and berry bushes can be found here.
Zone 3a is the warmest of the three northern zones, and includes parts of the Panhandle and the far northern parts of the Interior. This zone has a milder climate with cold winters and warm summers, with temperatures rarely exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A wide variety of plants can be found in this zone, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Zone 4a is found in the Interior of the state, and has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wide variety of plants can be found here.
Growing zones 5a through 8b
Zone 5a is found in Southcentral Alaska, and has a mild climate with cold winters and warm summers. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wide variety of plants can be found here.
Zone 6a is found in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska, and has a mild maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wide variety of plants can be found here.
Zone 7a is found in the southern parts of Southeast Alaska, and has a mild maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Temperatures rarely exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wide variety of plants, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, can be found here.
Zone 8b is the warmest of the climate zones in Alaska, and includes parts of the Panhandle and the far southern parts of the Interior. This zone has a mild maritime climate with warm summers and mild winters, with temperatures rarely exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A wide variety of plants, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, can be found here.
Growing sunflowers in Alaska
Growing sunflowers in Alaska can be a challenge due to the cold climate, short growing season, and the fact that sunflowers prefer warm climates with lots of sunshine. Sunflowers thrive in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making Alaska an unlikely place to grow them.
However, with some preparation and care, it is possible to grow sunflowers in Alaska. Before planting, it is important to choose a variety of sunflowers that are well-suited to the colder climate. Short-season sunflowers, such as Dwarf Sunspot, will fare better than longer-season varieties.
In addition to choosing the right variety, it is important to prepare the soil for sunflowers. Sunflowers prefer soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 and require well-draining soil. It is also important to add compost to the soil to provide additional nutrients and improve drainage.
When growing sunflowers in Alaska, it is important to start them indoors several weeks before the last expected frost. Sunflower seeds should be planted in individual pots and kept in a warm location until it is safe to transplant them outdoors. Once the danger of frost has passed, the seedlings can be transplanted into the garden.
Sunflowers will need plenty of sunshine in order to thrive in Alaska. If possible, try to plant them in a sunny location. If the sunflowers don’t receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, they may not flower or produce seeds.
Some of my favorite varieties of sunflower include:
- Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 75-100 days to maturity
- Teddy Bear Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 60-90 days to maturity
- Red Sun (Helianthus annuus) – 65-95 days to maturity
- Autumn Beauty Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 75-90 days to maturity
- Lemon Queen Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 75-95 days to maturity
- Velvet Queen Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 90-110 days to maturity
- Dwarf Sunspot Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 60-90 days to maturity
- Giant Sungold Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 85-110 days to maturity
- Evening Sun Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 75-95 days to maturity
- Sundance Kid Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – 75-95 days to maturity
When to start sunflowers indoors in Alaska
Sunflower seeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before your final frost date. In Alaska, the final frost dates are:
- Zone 1: Around June 4th
- Zone 2: Around May 22nd
- Zone 3: Around May 15th
- Zone 4: Around May 12th
- Zone 5: Around April 30th
- Zone 6: Around April 21
- zone 7: Around April 3
- zone 8: Around March 28th
You should also consider the size of the variety of sunflower you are planting, as shorter varieties can be planted later and taller varieties will need to be started a week or two earlier. Sunflowers should be started indoors:
- Zone 1: Around May 7th
- Zone 2: Around April 24th
- Zone 3: Around April 17th
- Zone 4: Around April 14th
- Zone 5: Around April 1st
- Zone 6: Around March 24th
- zone 7: Around March 6th
- zone 8: Around February 27th
Starting sunflowers from seed is a relatively easy process that can be done both indoors and outdoors. To begin, you will need to purchase sunflower seeds from a garden center or online. When selecting seeds, make sure to look for the desired variety you want to grow. Once you have your seeds, you can choose to start them indoors 4 weeks before the last frost date for your region.
Fill a seed tray with starter soil and moisten it with a spray bottle. Place your seeds on top of the soil, cover them lightly with starter soil, and water them gently. Place the tray in a warm and sunny spot, and keep the soil moist. Once your plants have grown 2-3 sets of leaves, you can transplant them outdoors.
Planting sunflowers outside in Alaska
Sunflower seeds should be planted outdoors after the last average frost date for your area. Planting sunflower seeds too early can result in poor germination and seedling growth and potentially death if there’s a hard freeze.
When planting outdoors, make sure the area has plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball, and fill the hole with compost or aged manure. Place the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil, then water deeply.
For the remainder of the sunflower’s life, make sure to keep the soil moist and fertilize regularly. With proper care, you should have beautiful sunflowers in no time!
When to harvest sunflower seeds in Alaska
When sunflower seeds are ready to be harvested, the back of the flower head will be dry and start to turn brown. The individual seeds will be dry and firm. The green husks surrounding the seeds will have turned yellow or white and begun to dry out. To check if the seeds are ready to be harvested, lightly pinch the seed head between your thumb and forefinger. If the husks break open easily, the seeds are ready to harvest.
Harvesting sunflower seeds is easy. Cut the flower head off the stem and spread it out on a clean surface. To remove the seeds, use your hands to rub the flower head and release the seeds. Collect the seeds in a large bowl or container. Once the seeds are harvested, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Make sure the container is well sealed to keep the seeds from going bad. Sunflower seeds can last for up to a year if stored properly.
Sunflower seeds are delicious and nutritious snack food. They can be eaten raw, toasted, or sprouted. Sunflower seeds are also used in salads, cereals, granola, and energy bars. They are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Sunflower seeds can also be used to make sunflower seed butter, which is a great alternative to peanut butter.
In addition to being a healthy snack, sunflower seeds are also used to make birdseed. You can leave your sunflowers intact outside well after the flowers have died to give your local birds a tasty snack!