Sunflower power

Sunflowers are a staple in my summer garden, and here are a few reasons why I love to grow them.

1.       Soil health

Sunflowers have the ability to absorb contaminants from the soil, helping to clean up polluted garden beds. This makes them a low-cost option for soil remediation if you have contaminated soil. The sunflowers’ roots help to loosen and aerate soil, improving its drainage and making nutrients more readily available to other plants nearby. Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy plants, so it is worth growing even a few sunflowers in your garden beds for this reason.

2.       Pollination stations

Sunflowers are magnets for pollinators.  Their pollen and nectar attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are important to sustain a healthy and vibrant ecosystem and to support fruit production.

3.       Beautification

I always say, you can’t be sad when you are looking at a sunflower. It’s probably my most compelling reason for growing sunflowers throughout summer. Those big heads and beautiful, bright colours make even the messiest garden feel like a wonderland. And when you are living in a concrete city, the beauty of a patch of sunflowers is just what you need to take away the inner city blues.

One more thing; not all sunflowers are yellow! To see the varieties of sunflowers I am growing in the summer of 2022/23, follow my Instagram page.

I hope you’ll be inspired to plant one on me!