Growing sunflowers in Oklahoma is a wonderful experience. Oklahoma’s temperate climate and long summers provide ideal conditions for growing sunflowers. With plenty of sunshine, plenty of rainfall, and plenty of soil to work with, Oklahoma is a great place to grow sunflowers. You’ll have plenty of time to get them in the ground before the heat of the summer sets in.
Sunflowers thrive in Oklahoma’s warm temperatures, and with a little care, you can enjoy big, beautiful blooms in your garden. Sunflowers also attract birds and other pollinators, making them a great choice for a backyard wildlife habitat. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the cheery yellow blooms all summer long!
Oklahoma climate and growing zones
Zone 6 is located in the central and western parts of the state. This zone has cold winters and hot summers, with temperatures ranging from -10°F to 97°F. During the winter, this zone receives about 25 inches of snowfall per year. The growing season in Zone 6 lasts from April to October. This zone is great for growing a variety of vegetables and fruits, as well as trees and shrubs.
Zone 7 is in the northern and eastern parts of the state. This zone has mild winters and hot summers, with temperatures ranging from -5°F to 96°F. During the winter, this zone receives about 20 inches of snowfall per year. The growing season in Zone 7 lasts from April to October. This zone is great for growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Trees and shrubs can also be grown in this zone.
Zone 8 is in the southern part of the state. This zone has warm winters and hot summers, with temperatures ranging from 15°F to 100°F. During the winter, this zone receives about 10 inches of snowfall per year. The growing season in Zone 8 lasts from April to October. This zone is great for growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Trees and shrubs can also be grown in this zone.
Growing sunflowers in Oklahoma
In the warmer months, sunflowers thrive in Oklahoma. During the summer months, temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Sunflowers require lots of sunlight and access to plenty of water to grow. This means that Oklahoma’s warm climate is perfect for sunflowers. It is important to choose a sunny spot in your garden, as sunflowers need direct sunlight to thrive. Be sure to water your sunflower plants regularly and give them plenty of fertilizer to get the best results.
In the colder months, sunflowers in Oklahoma may struggle. When temperatures dip below freezing, sunflowers may not survive. To protect your plants from the cold, it is important to cover them with a blanket or tarp during nights when temperatures are below freezing. It is also important to choose a variety of sunflower that is hardy enough to withstand the cold temperatures of Oklahoma.
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 Oklahoma
Sunflower seeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before your final frost date. In Oklahoma, the final frost dates are:
- 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 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 Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma
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!