What soil-savvy scientists say

“The sunflower is one of many talented plants and in my top 10 list for sure,” says agroecologist and soil advocate Nicole Masters. “Its deep taproot opens up tight soils, allowing air and water movement. As these roots break down, they add organic matter deeper into the soil for microbes. They have beneficial relationships with many microbes which are powerful soil detoxifiers. Sunflowers are one of a plant group known as phytoremediators or hyperaccumulating plants. They’re powerful for drawing out excess copper, manganese, zinc, arsenic and chromium. The multitalented sunflower has even been used to remove petroleum hydrocarbons as well as cesium and strontium from ponds after Chernobyl.”

When asked if her soil-fond heart swells at the sight of farmers planting them as a rotational crop to increase biodiversity, Nicole says: “So much! The more the merrier for soil, insects, environment and animal health. What I love seeing is diverse multi-species, multi-family mixes – not 100 per cent of any one species. This is key to building ecosystem health. Sunflowers are one of the more visual allies in our diverse toolbox to build soil health.”

Dr Charles Merfield (Merf, to friends), Head of the Future Farming Centre at Lincoln University’s Biological Husbandry Unit, says: “If home gardeners grow sunflowers, there’s lots to gain and little to lose. Don’t just grow them as a monoculture in the vege plot – mix it up and plant them out in the perennial borders where there is enough space for them.”