When To Plant Sunflowers In Arkansas To Honor Doves?

Sunflowers can be planted from late March to early July, with the optimal time for planting being between mid-April and mid-May. Most producers in Arkansas are marketing seed locally as birdseed or growing sunflowers for dove hunting. Dove fields can be legally manipulated to drop seed and make the setup more attractive to birds. The Fulton and Franklin county fields are planted with sunflowers, while the Little River field is top-sewn wheat.

Around 12,000 acres of sunflowers are grown in Arkansas each year, with most, if not all, of this production being used for dove hunting. Weed control is crucial for those planning to get their doves. The 2024-25 Arkansas Dove Season is Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024, and Dec. 8, 2024-Jan. 15, 2025. The daily bag limit for mourning dove and white-winged dove is 15, with a daily bag limit of 15.

Key considerations for growing sunflowers for dove hunting include variety selection, planting date, fertilization, and weed control. Early planting dates help ensure that sunflowers are mature for the opening week-end of the dove season. Both hunters begin by spraying their fields with herbicide in early May and then mowing down the dead vegetation a couple of weeks later. Sunflowers can be used, but they take about 100 days from planting until they are ready for harvest. Most dove hunters prefer sitting in a field of freshly mowed sunflowers or millet with strips of unmowed crops to provide cover.

Is it too late to plant sunflowers for opening day dove hunting (around Sept. 1) in northeast AR? If not, what planting rates, weed control, and other practices are legal to prepare dove fields on planted vegetation.

When to plant sunflowers in Missouri for doves?

Black oil sunflowers are a popular grain for dove fields, with a maturity time of around 120 days. They should be planted by mid-April to mature and dry in time for the Sept. 1 dove season opener. Wide spacing (18- to 30-foot rows) produces more seed, but weed growth can occur between the rows. To control weeds, managers use herbicides or row cultivators. Fenced sunflower fields may be necessary in areas with high deer populations.

Wheat management is another method, which involves growing patches or strips of wheat and then disking or burning them to scatter the grain. The wheat should be broadcast or drilled in the fall, left to mature in the summer, and then burned in mid- to late-August. The fire consumes the stalks and chaff, but the grain kernels are not consumed. Wheat fields have a matured and canopy by early spring, reducing weed pressure and placing seed on bare soil, making doves easily feed at these fields.

What is the best month to plant sunflowers?

Sunflower seeds should be planted directly into the garden after spring frost has passed and soils have warmed to at least 50°F (10°C), which occurs between April and mid-June in the northern half of the U. S. and Canada. Sunflowers are heat-tolerant, resistant to pests, and attractive to pollinators. They can be harvested in late summer and fall for a healthy snack or feed to birds. Sunflowers are annual plants with a daisy-like flower face and come in various colors, but are commonly bright yellow with brown centers.

They make excellent cut flowers and attract bees, birds, and butterflies. Sunflowers are heliotropic, turning their flowers to follow the Sun’s movement across the sky and returning at night to face the east, ready for the morning sun.

What is the best seed to spread for doves?

Sunflowers are a popular choice for dove hunters, but they are expensive and time-consuming. To plant red spring wheat seed, a chemical burn down is needed to keep the field free of weeds, which can stunt or choke the sunflowers. Doves prefer clean fields, so a burn down is essential for good hunts in September. Rounding up sunflowers in August may also be necessary to dry them out for seeds to drop.

To plant spring wheat, spread the seed and fertilizer in March or April, cover it with dirt, and burn the field in August to ensure the seeds drop to the ground. The right tools for planting include 120 pounds of red spring wheat seed, 90 pounds of Triple-13 fertilizer, an ATV, a compact ATV Disc Flip-Over, a harrow, a wooden pallet, cinnamon blocks, and a tow-behind seed spreader.

What is the easiest thing to plant for doves?

Sunflowers are a popular choice for dove hunters, but they are expensive and time-consuming. To plant red spring wheat seed, a chemical burn down is needed to keep the field free of weeds, which can stunt or choke the sunflowers. Doves prefer clean fields, so a burn down is essential for good hunts in September. Rounding up sunflowers in August may also be necessary to dry them out for seeds to drop.

To plant spring wheat, spread the seed and fertilizer in March or April, cover it with dirt, and burn the field in August to ensure the seeds drop to the ground. The right tools for planting include 120 pounds of red spring wheat seed, 90 pounds of Triple-13 fertilizer, an ATV, a compact ATV Disc Flip-Over, a harrow, a wooden pallet, cinnamon blocks, and a tow-behind seed spreader.

What is the easiest crop to plant for doves?

Wheat and millet are commonly utilized in dove fields, yet sunflower fields are recommended for successful hunting, as they have been found to yield superior results at Prairie Wildlife.

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?

Soaking seeds before planting is a common method to improve germination, as seeds have a hard outer layer to protect themselves from insects and diseases. Soaking them in water softens the hard seed coat, exposing the embryo to moisture and promoting growth. Sunflower seeds don’t need to be soaked, but soaking them for 12 to 24 hours can hasten germination and increase the number of sprouts. To grow sunflowers outdoors, cover the planting area with finished compost or aged manure, then work it into the ground, loosening the top 12-18 inches of soil. This loose soil allows the sunflower’s long taproot to grow easily and improves water infiltration.

What is the best temperature to plant sunflowers?

Sunflowers thrive in temperatures between 70-78°F (21-26°C), but can survive higher temperatures with adequate water. They can grow in cool, sunny climates but cannot survive exposure to temperatures below 26 to 23°F for 6 hours. Choosing the right field with proper sunlight and temperature is crucial for healthy crop growth. EOSDA Crop Monitoring allows farmers to assess potential using daily temperature data and past active temperatures.

Sunflowers can grow in various soil types, but optimal yields are achieved on neutral soils with a pH between 6. 5 and 7. 5 and adequate drainage. If the soil pH is below 5. 5, lime can be added. The best soil for sunflowers is sandy loam, but clay loam or silty clay can be used.

When to start planting in Arkansas?

Early Spring (late February/early March) is a good time to start planting hardy cool-season vegetables like onions, spinach, lettuce, beets, carrots, and kale. Mid-Spring (April) is a good time to start planting warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, melons, and cucumbers. In late Spring (May), planting should continue with vegetables like beans, sweet corn, okra, potatoes, and cabbage. Biennials like carrots and beets can be sown, and perennials like daisies and daylilies can be added.

When should you plant flowers in Arkansas?

In order to address the issue of deer infestations in domestic gardens, it is recommended that consideration be given to the planting of plants that are resistant to deer. It is recommended that any remaining seeds be stored in a cool, dry location and subsequently frozen. It is recommended that summer annuals be planted after April 15th, and that dormant plants obtained through mail order be unwrapped without delay to prevent root desiccation. It is recommended that planting occur as soon as conditions allow, with the objective of ensuring the viability of the plants for the following year.

What is the best crop for a dove field?

The sunflower-brown top millet field is a straightforward and manageable plant that reaches maturity in 60-90 days, making it an optimal choice for a successful dove field in September.

When to plant sunflowers in Arkansas?

It is recommended that seeds be planted after the threat of spring frost has receded and the soil temperature has reached a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.