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+--- Thread: Multi-purpose Sunflowers (/showthread.php?tid=2334)
Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Veggie - 12-04-2025
A couple of years ago I was given 2 boxes of sunflower seeds for sprouting. They are black seeds and I don't know what type of sunflowers they are. My best guess is that they are oil seed sunflowers of some sort. https://oggardenonline.com/which-variety-of-sunflower-yields-black-oil-seeds.html
However, putting a name to them doesn't really matter as I have a cunning plan.
1. First make sure they're viable.
2. Sow them! Perhaps as part of a 3/4 sisters combination with sweetcorn, beans and squash
Assuming they grow, they will produce :-
Supports of beans
Flowers for the house and wildlife
Seeds for winter bird seed (and oil but that seems too much faff)
Seeds for sprouting next winter.
Lots of biomass for composting.
Guess I'd better try sprouting some seeds first.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - Small chilli - 13-04-2025
This is a very exciting plan Veggie. I’ll be watching with interest.
I’ll be partly joining you. Thanks to you reminding me I can grow some sunflowers with my CFB, sweetcorn & squash. I would love to grow my own sprouting seed too. Maybe next year for that.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - JJB - 13-04-2025
Sounds good, multi purpose seeds and plants. TBH I've never grown a tall sunflower. Why ever not, I ask myself.
RE: Multi-purpose Sunflowers - SarrissUK - 13-04-2025
(12-04-2025, 10:30 PM)Veggie Wrote: A couple of years ago I was given 2 boxes of sunflower seeds for sprouting. They are black seeds and I don't know what type of sunflowers they are. My best guess is that they are oil seed sunflowers of some sort. https://oggardenonline.com/which-variety-of-sunflower-yields-black-oil-seeds.htmlI have the same plans! I got hold of some sunflower seeds for wild birds a week or two ago that were being sold off.
However, putting a name to them doesn't really matter as I have a cunning plan.
1. First make sure they're viable.
2. Sow them! Perhaps as part of a 3/4 sisters combination with sweetcorn, beans and squash
Assuming they grow, they will produce :-
Supports of beans
Flowers for the house and wildlife
Seeds for winter bird seed (and oil but that seems too much faff)
Seeds for sprouting next winter.
Lots of biomass for composting.
Guess I'd better try sprouting some seeds first.
My plan is to sow them on a triangle of land between ours and the neighbour's house that currently has some wild roses that aren't very pretty. The land is actually the current owner's, but he's embarrassed about the state of it and said we can use it. What would liven the space up better than a load of sunflowers?
The seeds from them will be used to supplement the chicken food. Can you tell I'm getting excited about buying chickens in a couple of weeks?
