Growing sunflowers in Missouri is an incredibly rewarding experience. With its warm, humid summers and cold winters, Missouri provides ideal conditions for sunflowers to thrive. The soil in Missouri is fertile and full of nutrients to help the sunflowers grow strong and healthy.
Additionally, Missouri has plenty of sunny days, which provide the perfect environment for sunflowers to develop their beautiful, vibrant colors. Sunflowers are a great addition to any garden and provide a natural pop of color. Growing sunflowers in Missouri is a unique, enjoyable, and rewarding experience!
Missouri’s climate and growing zones
Missouri has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is 54°F (12°C). Summers bring hot and humid conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 90°F (32°C) in July and August. Winters are cold and can bring snow, with temperatures dropping to as low as -10°F (-23°C) in January. The average annual precipitation is 38 inches (96 cm).
Zone 5: This zone covers the northern parts of the state and has a short growing season with frost-free days ranging from 135 to 180 days. Winters are cold with temperatures dropping as low as -20°F (-29°C).
Zone 6: This zone covers the central parts of the state and has a longer growing season with frost-free days ranging from 150 to 200 days. Winters are cold with temperatures dropping as low as -10°F (-23°C).
Zone 7: This zone covers the southern parts of the state and has the longest growing season with frost-free days ranging from 180 to 230 days. Winters are mild with temperatures dropping as low as 0°F (-18°C).
Growing sunflowers in Missouri
Growing sunflowers in Missouri is a great way for gardeners to bring a bit of brightness to their outdoor space. The climate in Missouri can vary greatly depending on the season, with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
In the winter, temperatures can dip below freezing. This can make it difficult to grow sunflowers in Missouri, as the cold can damage or kill the plants. As a result, it’s best to wait until the temperature is consistently above freezing before planting sunflowers in Missouri.
In the summer, temperatures in Missouri can be hot and humid. This is ideal for sunflowers, as they thrive in warm climates. Sunflowers need plenty of sunlight to grow and produce flowers, so they should be planted in an area that receives lots of direct sunlight.
When growing sunflowers in Missouri, make sure to water them regularly. Sunflowers require a lot of water, so make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. It’s also important to fertilize sunflowers throughout the growing season to ensure they get the nutrients they need.
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 Missouri
Sunflower seeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before your final frost date. In Missouri, the final frost dates are:
- Zone 5: Around April 30th
- Zone 6: Around April 21
- zone 7: Around April 3
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 5: Around April 1st
- Zone 6: Around March 24th
- 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 Missouri
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 Missouri
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!