Where To Buy Black Oil Sunflower Seeds For Planting

Where to buy black oil sunflower seeds for planting

Pests and Disease. You can opt to plant black oil sunflowers with the express purpose of allowing the birds to eat the seeds while the flowers are still in the garden. But if you're planning to harvest the seeds, protect the blooms throughout the growing season.

How long does it take to grow a black oil sunflower?

Planting Dates For example, black-oil sunflowers mature in about 100 to 120 days, so a mid-April planting date will provide mature seed in mid-August.

Do black oil sunflowers come back every year?

Black oil sunflowers do not come back every year. In order to get black oil sunflowers every year, you will have to replant them.

Which sunflowers produce black oil sunflower seeds?

Black oil sunflower seeds come from a cultivar (or modified version) of the sunflower plant Helianthus annuus. They're an annual crop, used primarily for making cooking oil and as wild bird food.

Can you just scatter sunflower seeds?

Loosen the top 2 inches of soil with a digging fork or shovel, then smooth with a flat rake. Scatter mix thinly and evenly. Using your rake, work to cover the seeds with 1/2-1 inch of soil, then use planting mix or compost to cover any exposed seed mix.

Why is black oil sunflower seed so expensive?

Why Do Black Oil Sunflower Seeds Cost More? A bag of black oil sunflower seeds generally costs more than a bag of mixed feed because the market price of sunflower seeds is higher than other ingredients, like millet.

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?

First, you'll need raw hulled sunflower seeds. We recommend our USA Grown Raw Organic Sunflower Seeds. Start the process by soaking the seeds for 11/2 - 2 hours at room temperature.

How far apart to plant black oil sunflower seeds?

Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart in loose soil and full sun. For the best results, plant sunflower seeds only when the spring is warm and all danger of frost is past.

What is the difference between black oil sunflower seeds and black sunflower seeds?

Black oil sunflower seeds have more calories and fat per seed. Striped sunflower seeds are larger, making them easier to open for big human hands but harder to open for small birds with weak beaks. Black oil sunflower seeds have a thin shell, which allows birds to open them with less energy expenditure.

What kind of birds eat black oil sunflower seeds?

Black-Oil sunflower seed attracts Northern Cardinals, Tufted titmice, Mourning doves, Gray catbirds, Evening grosbeaks, Boat-tailed and Common grackles, Bushtits, House finches, Pine siskins, Black-billed magpies and all species of chickadees, nuthatches, and jays - just to name a few.

Why are they called black oil sunflower seeds?

If the husk is solid black, the seeds are called black oil sunflower seeds. The crops may be referred to as oilseed sunflower crops. These seeds are usually pressed to extract their oil.

How long do you soak black oil sunflower seeds?

The first step of growing microgreens is to soak the seeds. This softens the hard outer shell and helps the black oil sunflower seeds germinate quickly. Because they have such a tough hull, it's recommended to soak these seeds for 24 hours total.

Which is better black oil or striped sunflower seeds?

Black oil sunflower seed provides the most energy per pound of any typical birdseed. Black oil sunflower seeds are easiest for most birds to eat, too, because they have thin shells compared to striped sunflower. When problem birds take over a feeder, striped sunflower becomes an excellent alternative.

Do you plant sunflower seeds point up or down?

The narrow end of the seed is where roots will emerge, so putting this end down saves the plant from having to right itself in the ground. Place the sunflowers 1 to 2 inches deep, point-down, every 6 inches or so, and then cover them up.

How many sunflower seeds do you plant in one spot?

To start sunflowers indoors, plant three seeds per each 3- to 4-inch peat pot. A soilless planting media will give you the best drainage.

Can you plant sunflowers without tilling?

Sunflowers are particularly effective at rooting deeper than many crops to access extra supplies of moisture. They can be planted no-till, but if tillage is to be done, a good seedbed should be prepared.

Why are the birds not eating black oil sunflower seeds?

The hull of the black sunflower seed is usually very thin, so most seed-eating birds can crack it easily. Meanwhile, the shell of a striped sunflower seed is much thicker, and birds with smaller, softer beaks will have a hard time breaking the shell.

What country produces the most black oil sunflower seeds?

#	81 Countries	Metric Tons
1	#1 Ukraine	5,413,084.00
2	#2 Russia	4,834,502.00
3	#3 Argentina	1,282,120.00
4	#4 Turkey	994,287.00

Do cardinals prefer black oil or striped sunflower seeds?

Black oil sunflower seeds are best for attracting most seed-eating finches, sparrows, chickadees, and nuthatches. Striped sunflower seeds are best for attracting larger cardinals and grosbeaks while also discouraging starlings, house sparrows, and cowbirds.

What month do you plant sunflowers?

When to Plant Sunflowers. It's best to sow sunflower seeds directly into the garden (or outdoor containers) after the danger of spring frost has passed anytime after soils have warmed to at least 50°F (10°C). In the northern half of the U.S. and in Canada, this will fall between April and mid-June.