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Hardiness Zone: 8b
Stacy from Austin, TX
I can only assume that the sunflowers you are talking about are sprouting from seeds dropped by squirrels or passing birds.
Anyone who feeds backyard birds will tell you that sunflower sprouts have a tendency to pop up in random places all over the yard and garden. If enough of them are dropped in the yard, they can start to have a detrimental affect on surrounding grass. This is because sunflower seeds contain allopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants. This nifty survival strategy is a unique adaptation that helps to ensure the survival of the plant's seeds.
Sunflower sprouts are easy to remove-especially when the soil is moist. Just grab them a hold of them and pull them out. The roots will usually come out intact with the leaves, but even if they don't, there is no danger of them re-sprouting in the same spot. Of course, there are no guarantees that birds and squirrels will not scatter them in the same place again!
If the sunflowers are sprouting from seeds from your own birdfeeders, the only way to avoid sprouts in the future is to switch to another type of seed.
Ellen
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
By
05/26/2008
Could you be talking about jerusalem artichokes, which are a type of tubers which can be eaten, but grow into a type of sunflower when planted? If so, you must dig up the tubers.
By
05/02/2008
Could you be looking at dandelions? Try googling that name and see. They sort of resemble sunflowers.
By
04/30/2008
Sunflowers generally do not come back each year with out re seeding. Pull them up by the roots and also note that birds often plant them by dropping sunflower seeds. We find they pull up easily after a rain when young plants.
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