In my garden, sunflowers are a beloved feature, brightening up the summer months with their cheerful blooms. However, this August, I've found myself paying extra attention to them, as the intense heat and lack of rain have made them particularly thirsty. So, I've been giving them a little extra care and attention, and I'm happy to share my tips for keeping my sunflowers healthy and blooming into fall.
One of the most important things I've been doing is deep watering. Sunflowers need a lot of water, especially in hot weather, and I've been making sure to water them deeply in the morning. I've also been using an expandable Flexi Hose, which is quick to set up and move around the yard, making it easy to direct water to the base of the plants where it's needed most. I've also been using a moisture meter to make sure I'm giving them just the right amount of water.
Another key to keeping my sunflowers healthy is regular cutting and deadheading. I've been removing spent blooms and snipping off seed heads to encourage new growth. I've also been using a pair of pruning snips to make the job easy and prevent strain on my hands and wrists. I've found that using a good quality pair of snips, like the Fiskars Non-Stick Pruning Snips, makes a big difference.
I've also been staking very tall stems to prevent them from falling and snapping in strong winds or heavy rain. I've been using bamboo stakes or metal stake supports, which are simple to add and help keep the plants stable. This is especially important after a protracted dry spell, when the plants are more vulnerable to the elements.
One thing that has surprised me is how much my sunflowers enjoy the company of birds. I've been leaving a few seed heads on the plants, which have developed into nutritious food for American goldfinches, chickadees, and other garden birds. I've even used fine mesh covers to protect individual heads until the seeds are ripe, and then removed the covers to let the birds enjoy the treats. Leaving the sturdy stems standing also provides useful structure in the garden as summer starts to fade.
Finally, I've been careful not to over-fertilize my sunflowers in August. If your plants are healthy and flowering well, there's usually little benefit in giving them a late-season boost. Instead, I've been focusing on consistent watering and deadheading to help extend the display. I've also been using a seed storage box to keep any extra seeds safe and sound for next year.
In my opinion, taking care of sunflowers in August requires a bit of extra effort, but the results are well worth it. With a little TLC, you can enjoy a vibrant and cheerful display of sunflowers well into the fall. So, if you're a sunflower lover like me, I encourage you to give them a little extra care and attention this month, and enjoy the rewards of your efforts for months to come.
