Growing Sunflowers

Blooming Good Idea!

In 1995 Nicholas took a bird watching holiday to Argentina, returning with black sunflower seeds for his wife to grow in the garden. After flowering, the sunflowers were left for the birds to harvest naturally.

The resulting increase in birds to the garden was dramatic, attracting a great deal of attention from fellow birdwatchers. Thus the idea ‘seeded’ for Nicholas to provide other bird lovers with the same opportunity in their own garden.

Growing Sunflowers at Vine House Farm

Vine House Farm is one of few British Sunflower growers; the specific growth requirements mean that Lincolnshire is the furthest North Sunflowers are able to be commercially grown.

The Seeds are drilled in April to May.

The photographs below show the progress the sunflowers make to turn into a full bloom.

Once in full bloom, all the sunflower heads follow the sun, facing east.

The sight is mesmorising, watch out if you are driving near Baston Fen and Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire, where over 160 acres of sunflowers are being grown this year. Vine House Farm is the largest grower of sunflowers in the UK. We are growing over 400 acres of seeds for birds. Nearly all people who sell bird seed, import it and sell it, Vine House Farm grows and sells it.

Towards the end of September the heads begin to droop, in order to protect the plant from water and hungry birds.

Harvesting occurs when the heads have completely turned brown and the seeds have a low moisture content, usually in late September and October.

The seed is dried and stored in grain stores.