Delaware is a great place to grow sunflowers. The mild climate and long summer days make it an ideal spot for these vibrant and cheerful flowers to thrive. Sunflowers are a favorite of gardeners, brightening up any landscape with their cheery yellow blooms.
Additionally, planting sunflowers in Delaware is easy and rewarding—they’re fast-growing and can handle the humidity and occasional downpours that this region is known for. Plus, sunflowers are a great source of food for bees and other pollinators, helping to support local wildlife. So, if you’re looking for a cheerful addition to your garden, why not try growing sunflowers in Delaware?
Delaware’s climate and growing zones
Delaware lies in the transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates, making it a great place for growing plants. Zone 7a is located in the northernmost part of Delaware and consists of parts of Sussex and Kent Counties. Winters here are mild, with average annual temperatures around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching 90 degrees.
Zone 7b is located in the southernmost part of Delaware, mostly in Sussex, but also includes parts of Kent and New Castle Counties. It has mild winters with temperatures ranging from 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit, and hot, humid summers with temperatures reaching 90 degrees.
These two growing zones offer a diverse range of plants and provide many opportunities for gardeners, especially those interested in growing fruit and vegetables. These zones are suited to plants that need long, hot summers to thrive, including tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplants, and melons. The mild winters also make it a great spot for growing citrus, such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit. Hardy trees, such as apple, pear, and peach trees, also do well in this region.
Growing sunflowers in Delaware
Growing sunflowers in Delaware can be quite a challenge due to the climate. Delaware is located in a temperate climate, which means that the temperature range is not extreme. In the winter, temperatures can drop to below freezing, and in the summer, it can get quite hot. This means that sunflowers need to be cared for differently in Delaware than they do in warmer climates.
In the winter, sunflowers need to be protected from cold temperatures. If temperatures drop too low, the sunflowers will be damaged and fail to flower. To protect the plants, it is important to cover them with a blanket or tarp to keep them warm. Additionally, it is important to water the plants more often in the winter to ensure that they stay hydrated.
The summer months in Delaware can be extremely hot, and this can be detrimental to sunflowers. In order to protect them from the heat, it is important to make sure that they are planted in areas that are shaded during the afternoon. Additionally, they need to be watered regularly to ensure that they do not dry out.
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 Delaware
Sunflower seeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before your final frost date. In state, the final frost dates are:
- zone 7: Around April 3rd
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 7: Around March 6th
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 Delaware
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 Delaware
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!