Close up of Peredovik sunflower heads-after the flower petals fall exposing the seeds
Peredovik Black Oil Sunflower in bloom
Today I planted my Peredovik Black Oil Sunflower Seed from Russia. They are the black oil sunflower seeds that the birds love to eat and this is the variety that is in your bird seed mix that you buy in the store. They are particularly good because they are high in natural fat giving the birds energy. This makes them the best choice of sunflower for feeding birds although the birds love all varieties of sunflower seeds.
I got mine for 2016 from Southern Seed Exchange and can’t wait for them to come up. Just plant like any other sunflower seed mixed in your garden with other flowers. They have multiple heads on each stalk. They won’t be as tall as some of the giant sunflowers usually reaching 4-5 feet tall but it’s nice to know I’m helping the birds. After they flower, I leave the heads on and it’s fun to watch the birds eat them right off the plant in the fall. I leave them well into winter where the wild birds will continue to get the seeds out of the heads.
giantveggiegardener 
Do you ever buy locally? (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes?) Since I have a very tiny garden, I don’t want to set up accounts at various internet sites.
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Yes I do buy locally alot – but I’m not sure you can find these seeds at any local store or nursery-sorry.
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Reblogged this on Linda's wildlife garden and commented:
Lovely update and thank you for sharing and have a blessed day
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Hi! What do you add to your soil when planting the sunflower seeds? How do you prevent them from being eaten by critters?
I planted 3 different varieties of sunflower seeds in my 1 flower bed, but I think something ate many of them, because only a few came up and slowly. They have been planted since Mid-May. This is my first year planting sunflowers. Thanks! 🙂
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I put amend my soil with compost, then put a drip system in and plant the seeds right next to an emitter. Then I cover the whole bed with row cover to keep the birds from eating the sprouts when they come up. I leave the row cover on till the plants are about 4 inches tall, then the birds lose interest in them.
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