Sunflowers are a popular choice for the summer garden. These easy-to-grow flowers are especially loved by children and beginning gardeners. With so many different varieties to choose from, selecting which crop to grow can be the hardest part. Regardless of the selection, many growers are eager to learn more about how to grow the best sunflowers possible. This includes becoming familiar with the sunflower fertilizer requirements.
Should you fertilize sunflowers?
Like any plant in the home landscape, deciding how and when to start feeding sunflower plants will largely depend on garden conditions. Whether growing sunflowers commercially or in a small row in the backyard, these plants will require abundant nutrients. In fact, sunflowers are known to feed extremely heavily during the growing season.
While they can be grown without feeding sunflower plants, there will need to be nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and a wide range of micronutrients in the soil for best results.
Fertilize a sunflower plant
Many garden soils are healthy enough to support the growth of sunflowers, but having the soil tested can help growers ensure that the sunflowers grow in a nutrient-rich medium. When it comes to fertilizing sunflowers, nitrogen is extremely important.
Fertilizing sunflowers with added nitrogen will contribute to the overall green growth of the plant. Fertilizing a sunflower with nitrogen will also increase the height of the plant. This can be especially important for home gardeners who choose to grow giant varieties of novelty sunflower. However, excessive amounts of nitrogen can be detrimental to the plant as they can limit flowering.
Sunflower fertilizer requirements can be met in a number of ways. Growers should choose the fertilizers that best suit their garden. Slow-release granular fertilizers are often a popular choice, as they can easily be worked into the soil and deliver nutrients to the root zone of plants.
Garden fertilizers can be applied during the growing season according to the manufacturer’s label directions. With careful research and minimal investment, growers will be rewarded with beautiful sunflowers throughout the summer and fall.
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