wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:44:34 -0400, Phisherman
wrote:

On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:31:50 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

Is there such a thing to sow zinnia and sunflower seeds in large areas
directly into the ground? My guess is that it would have to be two
different devices because of the large size difference between the
two. I need something that will save my aching back! I have a small
tractor, if that matters, but would probably dont' want something like
a broadcast spreader.

Cheers!


Sure. I've done it with striking results. Sunflowers will grow
4-10 feet. Zinnias about 4-5 feet. Both sunflowers and zinnias are
very colorful and grow well in full sun with little fuss. Good luck
with the flowers, and my deepest sympathies about that aching back.

How big an area? Both flowers re-seed and send up volunteers in my
gardens so I imagine if you tilled or hoed up the area and hand
broadcasted the seed you would get good results.

I'll be planting both in the next week. If you feed birds, be sure to
keep them supplied with plenty of sunflower seeds so they don't eat
the ones you're trying to grow. I learned this the hard way.

Kate

Birds can only eat the sunflower seeds when just planted and when just
sprouted, from that point on birds cannot eat sunflower seeds until the
fully ripened heads fall to the ground... sunflower heads grow in such a way
that birds cannot reach the seeds. Sunflowers are a perfect example of
evolution displaying survival of the fittest.... from the time the seeds
form to the point that birds would be attracted the sunflowers grow upside
down, and all around the perimeter of a sunflower the sepals act as an
impenetrable fence, no bird that would eat seeds can can find a place to
perch on a sunflower so they can reach the seeds. That is why sunflowers
can be a food crop, and make no mistake about it, sunflower farming is huge.
Hummingbirds love sunflowers but they don't eat the seeds. Btw, I wouldn't
save sunflower seeds to plant next year, they're hybridized... buy new seed
for each crop. They're called sunflowers not because the flower head
configuration resembles the sun, they're called sunflowers because they
follow the sun.

Also, when growing sunflowers you need to decide early on if the seed is for
your consumption or for wildlife. If for wildlife you cannot apply
insecticides or you will murder the critters. And unless you really know
what you're doing you'd best not apply insecticides if they're for your
consumption... I wouldn't even consider insecticides for any food crop,
especially not if for critters. The critters don't mind the insect larva in
the seeds, not at all, in fact they appreciate the extra protein.

Blue jays have to be the most masterful sunflower seed pickers, one large
jay can polish off a 12" diam head in under an hour. Ravens aren't as fast
but they can flip a large head over so they can get to the seeds. And I've
seen a pair of smartass crows act as team to flip a seed head. Only thing
is if there are jays about they will watch from a distance and as soon as
the ravens and crows flip a head they move in to take over and they are very
territorial of their sunflower head, won't even share with another jay.

Growing sunflowers is interesting, and very entertaining.