Sunflowers are beautiful to look at above the ground and perform vital functions below the soil surface. You can plant them as a monoculture or as part of a multi-species mix. Expect to attract not only pollinators to your field but photographers and wedding parties as well.
Seeding Rate (lbs. / acre)
- Drill: 5-8
- Broadcast: not recommended
- In a mix: 2-5
Sunflower Benefits & Info
- Deep-rooted broadleaf with rapid summer growth
- Significant rooting and biomass potential
- An excellent choice after wheat
- Performs well in cover crop mix
- Adds diversity to cover crop acres
- Terminates with a freeze
Sunflowers are starting to be used as part of multi-species cover crop mixes planted in mid-summer for soil improvement. In Missouri, they are most likely to be used for cover crop purposes as part of a multi-way blend of cover crops planted after wheat harvest. They not only add a little color to the cover crop patch but also serve to host pollinators and other beneficial insects. Conservationists like the fact cover crop sunflowers feed some songbirds, and deep sunflower roots are great for improving the soil when used in a cover crop mix. However, they will winter kill once fall temperatures get down to about 28 degrees F, so they don’t stay green as long in the fall as some other cover crop species like cereal rye or oats.