{"product_id":"mammoth-grey-striped-sunflower-copy","title":"Mixed Sunflowers","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHelianthus annuus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeds per pack ~ 40 approx \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cspan\u003eedible oilseed sunflower is a very productive open-pollinated landrace seed saved and stewarded since 2003 by Susana Lein at Salamander Springs Farm near Berea, KY, from whom we sourced this variety.  A mammoth-type with variable seed color and head size from 8” to 16” on 10+ foot tall stalks.  Susana noted that this sunflower mix has been an important part of poultry feed (chickens, ducks \u0026amp; geese) at Salamander Springs for more than 20 years, and some always gets shared with wild birds before the heads are harvested! This Mixed Sunflowers are a great human food that is also good for pressing oil and beautiful flowers at pollination stage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunflowers an important part of crop diversity in a garden or farm especially with cornfields and cover crop mixes.  They were an important part the polyculture \"milpa\" cornfields in both Central \u0026amp; South America, where Susana lived and worked during the 1990’s.  Native to most of the Americas, edible sunflowers were also part of the crop fields of Indigenous North Americans. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eExcellent for pollinators like bees \u0026amp; butterflies. Plant in full sun just a couple weeks before last frost in the spring. Reaches maturity in 75-80 days.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo learn more about how the agricultural practices of indigenous woman, Susana Lein suggests reading \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ccite\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"name\"\u003eAgriculture of the Hidatsa Indians\u003c\/span\u003e: \u003cspan itemprop=\"alternativeHeadline\"\u003eAn Indian Interpretation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/cite\u003e. Edited by\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\"\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"name\"\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"honorificPrefix\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"givenName\"\u003eGilbert Livingstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"familyName\"\u003eWilson\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan itemprop=\"birthDate\"\u003e1868\u003c\/span\u003e-\u003cspan itemprop=\"deathDate\"\u003e1930\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough the voice of an elderly Hidatsa woman, the book explores traditional methods of agriculture, including planting sunflowers and harvesting crops. (see\u003ca title=\"Buffalo Bird Woman\" href=\"https:\/\/digital.library.upenn.edu\/women\/buffalo\/garden\/garden.html\"\u003e Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden,1917\u003c\/a\u003e). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigins, Migration, and the History of Domestication\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe common sunflower (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelianthus annuus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is one of North America's oldest domesticated crops. Archaeological evidence indicates that Indigenous peoples of what is now the central and eastern United States began domesticating wild sunflowers at least 4,000–5,000 years ago, making the sunflower one of the few major food crops independently domesticated in North America. Native communities selectively bred plants with larger flower heads, larger seeds, and improved oil content, transforming the small, branching wild sunflower into the productive cultivated forms recognized today. Long before European contact, sunflower seed was an important staple food and was also valued for medicinal, ceremonial, and dye-making purposes. Following Spanish exploration of the Americas in the sixteenth century, sunflower seed was carried to Europe, where it spread rapidly across the continent. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Russian farmers had developed exceptionally large-seeded and high-oil varieties, many of which later returned to North America and influenced modern breeding. Today's heirloom sunflowers preserve many of these historic characteristics, representing centuries of careful selection by Indigenous farmers and generations of gardeners around the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance and Characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeirloom sunflowers are vigorous annuals that range from compact varieties under 3 feet (1 m) tall to towering giants exceeding 12 feet (3.6 m). Their stout, rough stems support large, heart-shaped leaves and spectacular flower heads that may measure from 4 inches to well over 18 inches (10–45 cm) across. While the familiar golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark center are iconic, heirloom varieties also produce blooms in shades of lemon, orange, bronze, mahogany, burgundy, cream, and even nearly black. Some cultivars produce a single enormous bloom, while branching varieties develop dozens of flowers over an extended season. The seeds vary in size and color, ranging from solid black to gray, white, striped, or mottled, depending on the variety. Sunflowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while mature seed heads provide valuable food for birds and wildlife.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulinary Uses\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunflower seeds are highly nutritious and rich in healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, and numerous antioxidants. The seeds may be enjoyed raw, roasted, or lightly salted as a snack and are widely used in breads, muffins, granola, cereals, trail mixes, and salads. Hulled sunflower kernels can be blended into creamy sunflower butter, made into dairy-free cheeses, or incorporated into pesto, dips, and baked goods. Sprouted sunflower seeds and young sunflower shoots are popular additions to sandwiches and salads, offering a mild, nutty flavor. Sunflower oil, prized for its light taste and high smoke point, has long been an important culinary oil throughout Europe and the Americas. In addition to its edible uses, sunflower petals have been used to make natural dyes, and roasted seeds have occasionally served as a coffee substitute.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowing Tips and Sow Depth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunflowers thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture. They perform best when direct sown after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (16°C), although warmer soil encourages faster germination. Because they develop a strong taproot, direct sowing is generally preferred over transplanting. Plant seeds \u003c\/span\u003e1 to 1½ inches (2.5–4 cm) deep\u003cspan\u003e, spacing them 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) apart for smaller varieties and 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) apart for giant types. Rows should be spaced approximately 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) apart. Sunflowers benefit from consistent watering during early growth but become relatively drought tolerant once established. Tall varieties may require staking in windy locations. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Most heirloom varieties mature in approximately 70–120 days, depending on the cultivar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvesting Guidance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor fresh-cut flowers, harvest blooms just as the petals begin to unfurl for the longest vase life. To collect edible seeds, allow the flower heads to mature fully on the plant until the backs of the heads turn yellow and eventually brown, while the petals dry and fall away. The seeds should be plump, firm, and fully colored. To protect ripening seeds from birds, many gardeners cover the flower heads with breathable mesh bags or paper bags. Cut mature heads with several inches of stem attached and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location until completely dry. Rub or brush the seeds free from the head, remove plant debris, and dry the seeds thoroughly before storing them in airtight containers. Properly dried seeds remain viable for several years when kept cool, dry, and protected from moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Salmander Spring Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51481581846761,"sku":null,"price":4.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0617\/6938\/4169\/files\/Sunflower_Mix.jpg?v=1783021951","url":"https:\/\/ujamaaseeds.com\/products\/mammoth-grey-striped-sunflower-copy","provider":"UJAMAA SEEDS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}