What is the best month to plant sunflowers?

Sunflowers can be divided into three types: edible type, oil-bearing type and dual-purpose type. They are mainly used for frying, oil pressing, and medicinal purposes. They have extremely high economic value and are currently widely planted in various parts of China. So when is the best month to plant sunflowers? Let’s learn more about it below.

What is the best month to plant sunflowers?

Sunflowers prefer warm climates and are usually best planted between spring and summer. The planting time is generally around April to June.

How to plant sunflowers?

1. Seed selection

Choose suitable varieties according to market needs and planting environment, and purchase seeds after selecting the varieties. Select damaged and deformed seeds and use fuller seeds for planting.

2. Seed treatment

To prevent underground pests, stir the seeds with 40% methyl isothioate solution before sowing, and keep them in a cool place for 6-8 hours. When the seeds are 70% dry in the shade, they can be sown.

3. Land preparation

When planting sunflowers, you must choose loam or sandy loam arable land with deep soil, medium or above soil fertility, flat terrain, convenient irrigation and drainage , and which has not been used to plant sunflowers for 3-5 years. It is best to use wheat or beans as the previous crop. After selecting the land, apply 30 dan of farmyard manure, 30 kg of ammonium carbonate, 30 kg of superphosphate, 15 kg of potassium sulfate, and 1.5 kg of phoxim granules per mu, and turn them into the soil when preparing the land.

4. Planting tips

It is best to adopt the method of digging holes for sowing. The depth of the holes is generally 3-4 cm, and it can be slightly deeper in dry land . 2-3 seeds need to be placed in each acupuncture point. If it is an edible variety, the row spacing should be 65 cm and the plant spacing should be 70 cm; if it is an oil variety, the row spacing should be 65 cm and the plant spacing should be 40 cm.

5. Check seedlings and replant

Sunflower is a dicotyledonous crop, and it is difficult for it to emerge from the soil. In addition, poor land preparation and sowing quality, or compaction of the topsoil due to rain after sowing, or damage by diseases, insects, rats, birds, etc. can easily cause missing seedlings and broken ridges. In order to ensure that all seedlings grow at the first sowing, it is necessary to check each field and row by row during the seedling emergence period, and any missing seedlings in rows and patches must be replanted in a timely manner.

In general, sunflowers can be sown in late spring and early summer. Pay attention to the preparations before sowing, such as seed selection, site selection, etc., and use scientific planting technology management to obtain a good harvest.