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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
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. |
#2
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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
Ah. I'm looking for a mechanical device to save from planting each
seed in the ground by hand. On Apr 12, 3:44*pm, Phisherman wrote: On Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:31:50 -0700 (PDT), " wrote: 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. |
#3
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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
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 |
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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
"dukes909 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. There exist all types of seed planting implements, adjustible for differnet sized seed and adjustable for spacing... many attach to tractors. Naturally you don't want to scatter sunflower seeds with a spreader, the birds will scoff them down as fast as you can strew them about, you need an implement that digs a small furrow, drops seed, and covers them as you go. There are all kinds of manual implements as well. I can't advise you further about seeders until you say how large is your "large". It would also help if you indicate what are your intentions for your sunflowers, for landscaping because you think they're attractive or for a food crop... there are many types of sunflower. |
#5
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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
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. |
#6
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Sowing zinnias & sunflowers in large patches
In article ,
"brooklyn1" wrote: Btw, I wouldn't save sunflower seeds to plant next year, they're hybridized... buy new seed for each crop. I've been saving and re-using the seed from mammoth sunflowers for the last three years. I don't see any difference. Go figure, or something. -- - Billy "For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death." - Rachel Carson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI29wVQN8Go http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1072040.html |
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