Sunflowers on allotments

[Acorn]

I noticed that a lot of people have sunflowers on their allotments. Is there a reason for it or is it purely ornamental?

Thanks!

[Geordie]

My guess would be part ornamental, part competition to see who can grow the tallest and part beneficial, in attracting insects to the garden.

[andrewo]

Sunflowers

Like any flower they're beneficial, will plant mine in the midst of my wigwam next year (as in GYO) with nasturtiums in a bin.

Seriously though I started growing flowers a few years back as part of companion planting and the benefits were soon felt, they make the place look good and bring in all those bugs...

Sunflowers are great because you can eat them and if you have kids they love them.

Andrewo

[Acorn]

Sunflowers

Thanks Geordie and Andrewo!
You can eat sunflowers?? I've always known about the seeds, but I had no idea about the flower itself! Or do you mean you can eat the seeds?

[andrewo]

The seeds

The seeds!!!! Though years back I did see someone add the flower petals to a salad but I don't know about this, so can't vouch.

Terrible images now of you trying to cram a large flower head in your mouth.

Andrewo

[Beryl]

Beryl

Sunflowers attract hoverflies which in turn devour blackfly.
We tried to experiment on our allotment site last year and several of us all grew sunflowers resulting in virtually no blackfly. I know one year is not enough to say they are the answer to our prayers but it is something we will continue with and see.

Beryl.

[Nicos]

eating sunflowers

Just bought some seeds for the allotment as the squirrels ate last years seeds (anyone eaten squirrel?????!)and on the back of the packets it says...quote:-

The green buds before the flowers opens are delicious cooked in butter sauce and the seeds make a tasty snack.'

They were from Thompson and Morgan , and suggest writing to them for a free leaflet with recipies for a wide range of edible flowers.

So....you were right!!!!

[Cab]

The leaflet isn't very exciting. Nor are the flower buds, in my opinion. There are lots of flowers that are far more interesting.

[Cab]

Oh, as for why to grow them on the plot, I grow them to cut the flowers for the table, and because I think they look great on the plot. Last count, I think I've got seven varieties.

[Patsy]

When I took my allotment over there was an big patch of marjoram (or maybe oregano? can't tell the difference) which flowers and attracts loads of hoverflies,bumble and ordinary bees, butterflies and other insects. Not only benefical, can eat the herb and a marvellous place to take time out to "stand and stare". I also grow jerusalem artichokes (sunflower family) which have small flower heads and am hoping they'll have the same effect as their larger cousins.

[WiZeR]

What do you grow your sunflowers in? Staight into the soil? Do they need to be supported?

[Cab]

I also grow jerusalem artichokes (sunflower family) which have small flower heads and am hoping they'll have the same effect as their larger cousins.

They never seem to be quite so good at attracting insects as sunflowers, but they're not bad. Its a tough call for me between taking the flower heads of jerusalem artichokes (incresing yield by 10% or even more) and letting them flower (I like the flowers!).

[Cab]

What do you grow your sunflowers in? Staight into the soil? Do they need to be supported?

I grow shorter varieties on the plot mostly, but the odd larger one I support with a cane. Start them off indoors, harden off, and plant out when there's no risk of frost. Our seeds go in some time in March.

[Nicos]

We grew our sunflowers in a plot 4ft x 12ft using an old frame usually used for growing runner beans. The frame just fitted into the plot and we supported the growing plants with canes and plastic twine.We grew a vast variety of sunflowers of different heights and the Russian Giants were well supported by the crossbar along the top. Some we left for the birds, and others we brought home over a period of several weeks. They looked fantastic! The tallest was about 10ft with an 18ins flower - not bad for 1st timers! Must admit slugs were a problem though.There were about 30 plants transplanted directly into the soil in that area.One multi-headed stem was a flower arrangement all on it's own!

[Clarea1]

You can eat nasturshum (sp?) and geranium petals and some varities of lavender flower heads can be used in cakes etc. Dwarf munstead says it can be eaten.