sunflowers
 

I have soybeans in two 1 acre plots plus neighbors that are farming soy beans this year. I have a third plot that is about 1 1/2 acres and was thinking of planting sunflowers in it more as a bird plot. Any thoughts on doing that if I plant this week? I am in south central kansas in a highly agricultural area.

A sunflower field will make for some good dove shooting.

Pheasants also really like sunflower seeds!

Back when we had pheasants our state agency used to sell a seed mixture to people who wanted to plant for pheasants, it consisted of dwarf sunflower seeds, dwarf plants only get about two feet high, along with millet and and some other seeds. It was good for doves and pheasants.

You should check with your local extension office, they should be able to tell you if it is a good idea to plant sunflowers this late in the year, I am guessing it would depend on the moisture you will get, I know it get's warm down your way.

Grain sorghum might also be worth considering.

This is a very good point, although I'd argue that it's not too late if the weather will just cooperate.

^This^

I planted sorghum in a mix once and had all sorts of birds in it when it put out seed.

Most sunflowers have a least a 90 day maturity period. A planting this late is pushing it for early September dove openers. However, it you are not worried about them being ready the first of September, there is still time. Sunflowers are not as easy as soybeans. Doves like a clean ground. It can be difficult to keep the ground clean as opposed to planting roundup ready soybeans. But, if you are just as interested in pheasants and quail - a weedy field might be the best thing. Sunflowers also like nitrogen. Depending on your ground, you may want to hit them with 40 or 50 lbs nitrogen per acre after they are a month old. If you want to keep them half way clean, a pre-emergent before planting and a grass specific herbicide over the top when they are three or four weeks old will help. If you are planting a mix with millet or milo, no grass specific herbicide.

I added Clover in with my Sunflowers and some Milo along the edges....it did great last year so I planted even more Sunflowers this year and the Clover is still flourishing in there.

Get them in the ground, what the deer don't eat will draw the birds, but get them planted soon..