grow sunflowers in Virginia is an incredibly rewarding experience . With the full-bodied stain , ample sunlight , and balmy mood that Virginia offers , you could create a beautiful and vibrant garden of sunflowers . Not only are sunflowers visually sensational , but they also provide a figure of benefits to your garden .
Sunflowers pull in bees and other good insects , which help pollinate other plants in your garden , and their large head provide wraith for other plants . to boot , their cryptical roots serve aerate the filth and render food . Virginia ’s mood makes it the utter place to grow sunflower , and the rewards of doing so make it a wonderful experience .
Virginia climate and growing zones
zona 5a : This zone handle the northeastern part of the state , including the city of Winchester , Harrisonburg , and Staunton . This domain experiences cold winters and hot summer . Average lows during the wintertime range from -10 to -20 ° F ( -23 ° C to -29 ° C ) . During the summer , average highs range from 75 to 85 ° F ( 24 ° C to 29 ° nose candy ) .
Zone 5b : This geographical zone covers the northerly Shenandoah Valley and the western foothill of the Blue Ridge Mountains . This zone has a restrained climate , with mild winters and hot summers . Winter lows typically range from 0 to 10 ° F ( -18 ° C to -12 ° C ) , while summer highs range from 80 to 90 ° F ( 27 ° C to 32 ° C ) .
Growing zone 6
Zone 6a : This geographical zone covers the cardinal and westerly parts of the state , including the cities of Charlottesville , Lynchburg , and Roanoke . This zone experiences cold winter and hot summer . Winter lows typically rank from -5 to 0 ° F ( -21 ° C to -18 ° C ) , and summertime highs lay out from 85 to 95 ° F ( 29 ° degree centigrade to 35 ° C ) .
zona 6b : This zone covers the easterly and southerly parts of the state , include the cities of Richmond , Norfolk , and Virginia Beach . This zone has a restrained climate , with meek winters and red-hot summers . Winter lows typically range from 10 to 20 ° F ( -12 ° C to -7 ° hundred ) , while summertime highs range from 90 to 100 ° F ( 32 ° ampere-second to 38 ° C ) .
Growing zones 7 and 8
Zone 7a : This zone cut through the southern Appalachian Mountains and percentage of the northerly Piedmont neighborhood . This geographical zone experiences stale winters and spicy summers . Winter lows typically range from 0 to 10 ° F ( -18 ° C to -12 ° C ) , and summertime high crop from 85 to 95 ° F ( 29 ° C to 35 ° C ) .
Zone 7b : This zone covers the northerly Piedmont region and office of the easterly Coastal Plain . This zona has a restrained climate , with soft winters and blistering summer . Winter lows typically stray from 20 to 30 ° F ( -7 ° speed of light to -1 ° C ) , while summer highs range from 95 to 105 ° F ( 35 ° cytosine to 41 ° cytosine ) .
geographical zone 8a : This zona covers the southern Coastal Plain , include the metropolis of Norfolk , Virginia Beach , and Richmond . This zone experience soft winters and hot , humid summers . wintertime lows typically grade from 30 to 40 ° F ( -1 ° degree centigrade to 4 ° C ) , and summertime high range from 100 to 110 ° F ( 38 ° C to 43 ° C ) .
Growing sunflowers in Virginia
Growing sunflowers in Virginia can be a rewarding experience . The climate in Virginia is quite diverse , with warm humid summers and relatively meek winters . In the northern parts of Virginia , the climate is coolheaded and more prone to hoarfrost , so it ’s important to take that into consideration when grow helianthus .
In the cooler months , it ’s best to set off sunflower seed indoors and keep them protect from the moth-eaten conditions . Once they ’ve established a levelheaded antecedent system , they can be transplant outside . Sunflower seedling are quite hardy and can withstand light frosts . However , if you ’re expecting a toilsome freeze , cover the plants with blanket or burlap them to protect them .
In the warmer month , helianthus thrive in Virginia ’s mood . Sunflowers prefer full sunlight and well - drain soils , so it ’s important to give them plenty of both . To maximize their growth , water them deeply once or twice a workweek .
At the ending of the rise season , you’re able to harvest the sunflower seeds and save them for implant the following year . sunflower make great cut flowers , so you’re able to also snip some off for a bouquet .
Some of my favorite mixture of helianthus let in :
When to start sunflowers indoors in Virginia
Sunflowerseeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before your final rime date . In Virginia , the last frost date are :
You should also consider the size of the variety of helianthus you are institute , as shorter variety can be institute later and marvelous varieties will want to be started a week or two before . helianthus should be started indoors :
Starting sunflowers from seminal fluid is a comparatively soft process that can be done both indoors and outside . To begin , you will need to purchase sunflower seeds from a garden shopping centre or online . When take seeds , check that to seem for the desire variety you require to raise . Once you have your seeds , you’re able to opt to start them indoors 4 weeks before the last frost escort for your region .
make full a come tray with starter territory and moisten it with a spray bottle . Place your seeds on top of the soil , cover them softly with starter grime , and water them lightly . Place the tray in a quick and sunny spot , and keep the soil moist . Once your plants have arise 2 - 3 sets of leaves , you may graft them outdoors .
Planting sunflowers outside in Virginia
helianthus seeds should be implant out of doors after the last average frost escort for your area . Planting helianthus seed too early can result in pitiful germination and seedling growth and potentially last if there ’s a hard freeze .
When engraft alfresco , make trusted the area has plenty of sunshine and well - drain dirt . Dig a hole that is twice the sizing of the root testis , and occupy the hole with compost or older manure . rank the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil , then water deeply .
For the remainder of the sunflower ’s life , check that to keep the land moist and fertilize regularly . With right care , you should have beautiful sunflower in no time !
When to harvest sunflower seeds in Virginia
When helianthus seeds are quick to be glean , the back of the heyday head will be dry and start to twist dark-brown . The individual seeds will be ironic and firm . The green husks surrounding the seminal fluid will have ferment scandalmongering or white and lead off to dry out . To jibe if the semen are ready to be harvested , thinly snarf the source promontory between your quarter round and index . If the husks break open well , the seeds are ready to glean .
Harvesting helianthus seeds is easy . Cut the flower head off the stem and spread it out on a uninfected surface . To remove the seeds , use your hands to rub the flower head and release the seeds . gather the seeds in a large stadium or container . Once the seed are harvested , store them in an airtight container in a cool , dry place . Make certain the container is well sealed to keep the seeds from go spoiled . Sunflower seed can last for up to a year if stored right .
Sunflower seed are yummy and alimentary bite food . They can be eaten raw , toast , or sprout . Sunflower seeds are also used in salads , food grain , granola , and free energy bars . They are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E , phosphorus , Mg , and zinc . Sunflower cum can also be used to make sunflower seed butter , which is a cracking choice to peanut butter .
In improver to being a healthy bite , helianthus seeds are also used to make birdseed . you may entrust your sunflowers intact outside well after the flowers have break down to give your local fowl a tasty snack !
