Botanical name: Helianthus annuus
The sunflower can be identified by their sunshine yellow petals.
A mature sunflower seed is either black or striped gray and white. The amazing phenomenon of the sunflower is that it's head turns to follow the sun daily while it's growing.
A sunflower can grow twice as tall as a human, given the right growing space.
Originally, the sunflower was a short plant, about knee-height with multiple heads. Over the years, farmers have hybridized the plant, allowing it to reach great heights with much larger seeds.
Sunflowers grow tall, peas can use them as trellises if grown close by. Plant the peas in after the sunflowers have established themselves and are 25 cm tall
Sunflowers can provide a fast growing temporary windbreak for lettuce that enjoy growing in their shade during the hot summer months.
Be aware that the sunflower does not enjoy the company of beans and potatoes.
Sunflowers contain Vitamin B and E, Phosphorous and Iodine.
The seeds can be used as a natural dye, giving a blue, black colour.
If you are in the process of quitting smoking, a mixture of sunflower seeds, raisins and peanuts are a great snack to distract you, pick up a handful and chomp them well, you'll soon forget about that cigarette.
For something alittle different, sunflower sprouts can be grown in a tray of soil outside the kitchen door, cut the tops off and add them to a salad.
Fried shelled sunflower seeds give great flavor to almost any dish.
Unshelled, sunflower seeds can be roasted and salted for a quick snack.

Sunflower Seed Salad

Grab 2 handfuls of shelled sunflower seeds
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Onion
Fresh parsley and fennel
Feta cheese (optional)
Lemon juice or vinegar
Oil
Lightly fry the sunflower seed till they are slightly brown. Allow to cool.
Prepare the rest of the ingredients by chopping them up and placing them in a bowl.
Add the cooled sunflower seed and Feta cheese,
Sprinkle with lemon juice or vinegar and oil.
Enjoy.

written by Jeannine V Davidoff

Author's Bio

"Have you ever tried to encapsulate yourself in a few words.I will do my best and hope you don't come out as dizzy as me. I am mother, artist, writer, organic gardener, permaculture consultant, yoga teacher, freelance journalist and editor. a student of the universe. As a rampaging farmer and mother during the 90's, I got involved with environmental and permaculture projects in South Africa, I learned about rural life. spiders, cows, snakes and all. My 21st century focus is on communicating knowledge and sharing my art. Take a look at my book, Family Organic Garden, an easy and simple way to eating organic food straight from your own garden. " - Jeannine Davidoff

Featured Artist Jeannine D

Venus Collection

Venus 4

Giant in the Landscape

Sailing by the Green Sky

Pale Moonlightgiant

Halasana

Caterpillar

Convert Currency

Shopping Security	Privacy Policy	Payment Options	Disclaimer Policy	Terms & Conditions
Copyright© 2008-2010 Notstraight Inc.