Sunflower Peredovick Seeds - Helianthus annuus

The 'Peredovick' sunflower is a fast-growing annual variety that develops a sturdy and thick stem, reaching up to 2 metres in height before blooming into a massive 30 cm diameter flower. Selected for their vitality and long flowering period, the flowers are very robust and resistant to diseases. They beautify the garden throughout the summer and play a crucial role in attracting pollinating insects, which are essential for the garden. Moreover, 'Peredovick' has the ability to maintain and enrich soil fertility. By acting as a green manure, it stimulates the yield of subsequent crops. Its main characteristic in organic agriculture is to absorb residual nitrogen from the soil after a previous crop. To successfully grow it, it is essential to have a warm, light, and well-aerated soil, exposed to the sun, while ensuring an adequate water supply, as these plants have a strong need for moisture for their development. Consider a quantity of 3 kg of pure seeds for every 1,000 m² of cultivation. This annual plant is sown in spring, directly in place, in any well-drained garden soil.

Helianthus annuus is none other than the famous sunflower cultivated on a large scale for the oil extracted from its seeds. This large annual plant from the Asteraceae family, domesticated for a long time by humans, has a controversial origin, but it is native to the American continent.

The 'Peredovick' variety forms an upright plant, with few branches, reaching between 1.50 and 2 m in height and 0.40 to 0.60 m in width. Flowering usually begins in early July and can continue until late September. It is an inflorescence in a head measuring up to 30 cm in diameter, composed of a corolla of bright yellow petals or ligules, surrounding a lighter central disc. Under the best conditions, it takes 12 to 14 weeks between sowing and the start of flowering. The flower stems are rigid and sturdy, with few branches. The foliage consists of dark green, simple, cordate (heart-shaped), toothed leaves, alternately arranged, sometimes opposite at the base. They are attached to the stem by a more or less long petiole and feel rough to the touch.

The sunflower is an ideal companion for those starting out in gardening or for enjoying pleasant moments with children. Its easy cultivation, large seeds, and suitable size are appreciated by novice gardeners. 'Peredovick' sunflower is particularly suitable for ornamental use in large flower beds and borders. It is also ideal for enhancing the vegetable garden and is very useful for the garden's ecological balance by attracting beneficial wildlife. In the chicken coop, it becomes a valuable ally for chickens by offering an interesting addition to their diet and diversifying their environment. In cultivation, it only requires sun and soil that is not too dry to flourish effortlessly. It is a plant with a rustic appearance and, as such, it integrates well into slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside cosmos, sainfoin, perennial sweet peas, scabiosa, gaillardia, lupins... For the purpose of improving and enriching soils, 'Peredovick' is an excellent green manure, which can be associated with white mustard, phacelia tanacetifolia, or white clover.

Before flowering, the plant optimises its growth by following the sun's path. This phenomenon, called heliotropism, has given rise to some of its common names.

To enjoy your sunflower bouquets for longer, follow these tips:

• Cut the flowers in the morning just after they open. Use a knife that has been thoroughly cleaned beforehand.
• Remove the leaves from the bottom, leaving only 2 or 3 leaves below the flower.
• Change the water in the vase with fresh water every day.

Sunflower in the kitchen: The buds, petals, and seeds are edible. Add a few petals to a green salad for a contrast of colours and their nutty flavour. The green buds can be blanched and then sautéed in garlic butter. Their flavour is similar to that of Jerusalem artichokes. The flesh of the seed can be consumed raw or roasted.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the nectar-rich sunflower flowers attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A good way to improve the ecosystem and promote the production of fruits and vegetables in your vegetable garden. The oil-rich seeds are particularly appreciated by birds (parrots, tits, doves, goldfinches, siskins, nuthatches, finches...). At the end of flowering, harvest them to make some happy during the winter scarcity.

Organic or 'AB' seeds come from plants grown in organic agriculture (without the use of phytosanitary products). They undergo no treatment after harvest. These seeds are suitable for organic market gardening.