Sunflowers in a Sustainable Garden
Unlike many other edibles we grow in our yards, sunflowers are native to North America; Native Americans domesticated the wild sunflower into a single headed plant in a variety of seed colors. European colonizers then brought sunflowers to Europe.
Sunflowers are an ideal element in a sustainable, edible garden: they attract beneficial insects and enrich the living ecosystems. To grow sunflower heads for their edible seeds, you will need to protect the heads from birds. If you many sunflower heads, consider leaving some heads uncovered as a way to supplement the diet of your local bird population. Though birds can be a nuisance, they remain an essential part of the overall balanced ecosystem. Once established, perennial sunflowers will spread vigorously with little care or water.
sunflowers in garden
Sunflowers add a colorful, edible accent to your landscape. Use larger varieties to create a windbreak or temporary screen in your garden. Arrange sunflowers in a pattern to create a design or enclosed space for a children’s play area.
Giant sunflower stalks are especially strong, with tough fibrous cells, and are slow to decompose in a compost pile. At the end of the season, use sharp pruners or lopers to cut stalks from the ground. Dry them completely. Consider reusing dried sunflower stalks as stakes in your garden or as small support structures for other plants. When you are finished using the stalks, break them into pieces and use them for kindling.
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