MSU Extension Cover Crops

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) 

Identifying Features

• Oval to spade shaped alternative leaves
• Grows 2-10 feet tall with thick stems covered in dense hairs and yellow flowers
• Taproot

Planting Tips

• Drilled Seeding Depth: 3/4-1.5" 
• Drilled Seeding Rate: 2-4# PLCS/Ac in a mix
• Broadcast Seeding Rate: Not recommended unless shallow incorporation used, 3-5# PLS/Ac in a mix
• Seed Size: 8,000 seeds/lb
• Seeding Dates: May-August
• Frost Seed: Not Recommended
• Aerial Seeding Rate: Not Recommended

Termination Tips

Winterkill, Tillage, Chemical, see https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/cover-crop-termination for more information 

Performance

• Dry Matter: 1-5,000 lbs/Ac (highly dependent on planting and termination dates)
• Performance: Very Good
• Soil Builder: Good 
• Erosion Fighter: Good
• Weed Fighter: Good
• Good Grazing: Fair 
• Mechanical Forage Harvest: Good
• Cash Crop Interseed: Poor
• Attract Beneficial Insects: Excellent

Additional Considerations

• Best in a mixture with other warm season species 
• Tolerant of heat and drought
• Prefers full sun 

This fact sheet is a collaborative effort of Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide information on cover crops. For more information consult www.midwestcovercrops.org/michigan/. USDA participants should follow the specifications in their conservation plan and the NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines.