Texas Sunflower Fields & Farms

Sunflower Fields in Texas

Texas is home to some of the most beautiful sunflower fields and farms in the United States. Several popular spots throughout the state are perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. The most popular spot is the Texas Sunflower Trail, a scenic drive through the rolling hills of North Texas. Along this trail, you can find several sunflower farms and fields with blooms ranging from yellow to orange and beyond.

If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, several pick-your-own sunflower farms are located throughout the state. These farms allow visitors to wander through their expansive fields, picking blooms to create stunning bouquets or other arrangements. In addition to picking flowers, many of these farms offer activities such as hayrides, petting zoos, and more.

Large yellow sunflower fields are almost as emblematic of Texas as the famous bluebonnets. Many of these farms are only a short drive from Texas’ major urban centers. Feed your inner naturalist with a stroll through the beautiful Texas sunflower farms that open their doors to visitors, whether you’re visiting in the spring or fall.

Sunflower Fields in the Texas Panhandle

The Texas Panhandle is home to some of the most beautiful sunflower fields in the United States. The rolling hills and vast fields are a sight to behold, and the farmers here know how to pack the flowers precisely. From early spring until late fall, visitors can explore the fields and take in the sweet fragrance of sunflowers.

Visiting a sunflower field in the Texas Panhandle is a wonderful experience. They are beautiful to look at and bring peace and tranquility to those who take the time to appreciate them. Visitors can take photos, pick flowers, or sit back and enjoy the beauty of nature. Additionally, it’s a great way to connect with family and friends while exploring nature.

When visiting sunflower fields in the Texas Panhandle, it’s important to remember that they’re fragile ecosystems that require care and respect.

Maxwell’s Country Family Fun

12908 S. Bell St, Amarillo, TX 79118

This lovely family farm on the outskirts of Amarillo has acres of Texas sunflower fields. The fields are open to visitors on weekends, but they are usually only in bloom from mid-September to October. The walking trails through the sunflowers provide a flat, easy path that is wheelchair accessible. The large, yellow blooms are stunning, and the west Texas breeze creates ideal fall weather.

Maxwell’s Fall Festival offers a variety of activities to keep visitors entertained for the entire day. After visiting and photographing the sunflowers, go to the Bunny Village or Duck Derby, climb the Hay Pyramid, shoot an Apple Cannon, or navigate the Giant Maze.

A hayride completes the adventure. Don’t forget to stuff your face with funnel cake, corn dogs, and kettle corn.

Sunflower Fields in North Central TX

The sunny skies and warm temperatures of North Central Texas are the perfect conditions for growing sunflowers. Each summer, miles of sprawling fields in the area become filled with beautiful yellow blooms. Sunflower fields have become a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering stunning views and unique photo opportunities.

The sight of golden yellow petals swaying in the breeze is truly breathtaking. Visitors can take strolls through the fields or sit back and take it all in. Whether looking to experience nature’s beauty up close or to take some fantastic photographs, sunflower fields offer something special for everyone.

Several farms dedicated to growing sunflowers throughout North Central Texas open up their gates each summer season. There’s no better time for those looking to explore what these locales offer!

Lone Star Family Farm

4199 Highway 67, Stephenville, TX 7640

Lone Star Family Farm is located in Stephenville, Texas, about an hour and a half southwest of Fort Worth (which is also not far from the small town of Dublin).

The giant, gorgeous sunflowers cultivated here are fall bloomers, perfectly complementing the farm’s plethora of fall-themed activities. This is not a picking farm, but visitors will enjoy walking the trails through the sunflowers, and there are numerous photo opportunities along the way.

Lone Star Family Farm is the ideal fall destination for a fun-filled day with the whole family. Walk through the sunflowers, pick a pumpkin or cotton, let the kids play in the Mini Corn or Hay Bale Mazes, or watch the pig races.

Adults will enjoy a few rounds of Corn Hole, roping practice, or taking everyone on a hayride. Picnic tables are also available for use after purchasing a snack from the concession stand.

Mainstay Farm Park

1004 W Bethesda Rd, Cleburne, TX 76031

This farm is located in Cleburne, Texas, about thirty minutes south of Fort Worth, on I-35W. The Sunflower Patch usually blooms from late September to early October. The sunflowers are part of Mainstay Farms’ fall event calendar, including a pumpkin patch.

Since 1989, the Wilson family has put a lot of love into this property, creating a space for visitors to fall in love with the great outdoors.

The Mainstay Farm Park is a full-day event for visitors, with games and outdoor play areas for children of all ages. Enjoy some of the delectable food or desserts while listening to live music. Stop by the Haymarket Store for some excellent farm decor or a souvenir on your way out.

Wild Berry Farm

905 Crawford Rd, Sadler, TX 76264

Sadler, Texas, is a quiet little town about an hour north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, between Gainesville and Sherman.

In 2016, Wild Berry Farm began growing sunflowers. Because of the success of their first few plantings, the farm has expanded its sunflower crop across all of its flower fields. You can cut the flowers for a fee; however, you must bring a pair of shears and something to hold the flowers.

Wild Berry Farm cultivates a wide range of fruits and wildflowers. The Farm Cafe is open from Spring to Fall and serves a variety of fresh menu items made from locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

During the blooming season, visitors are welcome; check in at the red barn when you arrive. Wild Berry Farms is a family-owned and operated business, and the visit is suitable for children.

Robinson Family Farm

3780 White Owl Ln, Temple, TX 76501

October is ideal for hopping in the car and driving to Temple, Texas, to pick some sunflowers. The Robinson Family Farm’s sunflower fields are filled with stunning blooms ranging from five to six feet. Cut a bouquet of sunflowers and follow the trail through the tall field. Don’t forget to take some photos; these will make great fall family or class pictures.

One feature distinguishing Robinson Family Farm from the competition is the variety of activities available on their property.

Visit the pumpkin patch, listen to live music, walk the corn, jump in the corn pit, and play one of the many games set up in the open yard, in addition to the beautiful sunflowers.

Because this is a working family farm, the owners open their gates on weekends during certain seasons, so double-check to ensure they are open.

Sunflower Farms in East Texas

Sunflower fields in East Texas can be found in several locations. The most popular spot is the Texas Sunflower Trail, which is located near the town of Pilot Point. Visitors can enjoy a picturesque drive along a winding road with sunflowers in full bloom. This area is especially beautiful during late summer and early fall when the flowers are in their peak season.

Several farms and nurseries throughout East Texas grow sunflowers for those looking for something closer to home. These include places like Bluebonnet Farms in Canton, which offers pick-your-own sunflower experiences for visitors. Other popular spots include The Flower Pot in Tyler and Dandelion Hill Farm in Lindale.

No matter where you go, viewing sunflower fields in East Texas is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Dewberry Farm

7705 FM 362, Brookshire, TX 77423

Brookshire, Texas, is 45 minutes west of downtown Houston, between Interstate 10 and Highway 290.

Dewberry Farms is one of the area’s largest sunflower farms, with four acres of over twenty-five sunflower varieties planted. The primary acres bloom in May and early June, with significant fall bloomers on one acre.

These lovely blossoms range in color from yellow to red. Visitors are welcome to pick their sunflowers, usually priced by the flower.

In May, Dewberry Farm hosts a Sunflower Festival, where visitors can stroll through the neat rows of sunflowers, pick flowers, and take photos. Guests can also ride the train around the property while dining at Mattie’s Kitchen, Annabelle’s, or Rooster’s. Dewberry Farm should be on your must-see list for sunflowers because it has rides and lots of fun activities for visitors of all ages.

Froberg’s Farm

3601 Hwy 6, Alvin, TX 77511

This farm, located thirty minutes south of Houston, has a little bit of everything to entice visitors. As part of the Fall Festival, stroll through Froberg Farm’s lovely sunflowers in the Flower Garden and select the perfect blossom. The sunflowers grown here are fall bloomers and look stunning in October.

Froberg’s Farm is a Pick-Your-Own farm with citrus fruit, strawberries, and blackberries, as well as sunflowers and wildflowers. While you can pick your own, all fruits and vegetables are sold by weight.

There is also Froberg’s Bakery on-site, which makes dozens of varieties of homemade pies using farm ingredients, not to mention the delectable jelly and preserves made in-house.

P-6 Farms

9963 Pooles Rd, Montgomery, TX 77356

P-6 Farms is 35 minutes west of Conroe on TX-105, just outside the lovely town of Montgomery, Texas. This farm, one of the few public sunflower farms in the greater Houston area, is a great day trip from Houston.

Wander through the Flower Patch; the blooms are beautiful and grow to eye level. Sunflowers grown at P-6 Farms include the traditional dark yellow and lovely orange, and dark red varieties. Spend time selecting the right blooms for your bouquet and bask in the sun.

After you’ve had your fill of the sunflowers, go pumpkin picking or meandering through the Corn Maze.

Throughout the property, numerous games, rides, and activities help you create wonderful fall memories. Finish the day with a hayride and some bbq at The Clodhopper. P-6 Farm will be a fall favorite for the entire family.

Sunflower Farms in San Antonio

Yes, there are sunflower fields in San Antonio! The most popular one is located at Wildseed Farms. Every summer, the farm opens its doors to visitors who want to explore the colorful blooms and take pictures. It’s a great way to get away from the city and enjoy the fresh air.

In addition to sunflowers, Wildseed Farms also has a variety of other flowers and plants that you can explore. They also have an on-site store where you can purchase items such as seeds, plants, and gardening supplies. You can even take home some of the flowers you pick from the fields.

If you’re looking for a fun day trip, visiting a sunflower field in San Antonio is worth it! Not only will you get to explore beautiful blooms and take some great photos, but you’ll also be able to learn more about different types of flowers and plants.

Trader’s Village

9333 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78242

The 10-Acre sunflower field contains a variety of sunflower varieties. The ability to explore the sunflowers is provided through walking routes and a maze.

Additionally, Trader’s Village organizes several fair-like events, including a petting zoo, food vendors, and an inflatable slide. An expert photographer will be on hand to snap your next family portrait if you want something a little more glitzy. Two alternatives for low-cost photo sets are available: for $5, you can get five shots, and for $8, you may purchase ten.

Every weekend, from 5 to 9 p.m., the sunflower field will be accessible as long as they remain in bloom. Fridays at 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. both at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. to 5 p.m. every Sunday.

Sunflower Farms in Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful region of rolling hills, wildflowers, and stunning vistas. It’s also home to some of the most beautiful sunflower fields in the state. Visitors can see bright yellow blooms stretching across miles of open land in the summer months.

There are plenty of options for virtual tours for those who want to experience sunflower fields without leaving their homes. Many local farms have created online experiences so that people can still enjoy their beauty from afar.

Wildseed Farms

100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

If you’re looking for a great place to view sunflowers in the Texas Hill Country, one option is the Wildseed Farms near Fredericksburg. The farm has over 200 planted wildflowers and offers pick-your-own sunflower experiences throughout the summer. Visitors can also enjoy walking trails, a butterfly garden, and other activities while taking all that nature offers.

This lovely farm is located just outside of Fredericksburg, Texas, and features over 200 acres of flowers and walking trails throughout the property.

Wildseed grows several sunflower varieties, including the Maya Sunflower, Grey Stripe Sunflower, Lemon Queen, Sunspot, Autumn Beauty, and Chocolate Cherry.

The sunflowers on this farm bloom in late summer and make an excellent backdrop for photographs. On their property, Wildseed Farms grows a variety of wildflowers. They also have a Vineyard & Tasting Room, a Biergarten, and a one-stop shop for home decorating and gardening supplies. Wildseed Farms is open every day, and admission is free for all visitors.

Other Sunflower Viewing Locations in Texas

Before 2000, the oldest sunflower fields in Texas were in the plains near Lubbock and the Hill Country. Since 2008, the number of sunflower farms in North-Central Texas, particularly around the Dallas area, has more than quadrupled, with the number of plants more than quadrupling in Ennis, Navarro, and Hill counties.

Driving through the back roads of these counties will provide you with stunning views of acres upon acres of sunflowers.

The farmers don’t care if you stop and take pictures in front of their fields, but this is their livelihood, and they prefer visitors not to go into their Texas sunflower fields or pick their crops.

If you decide to stop, please do so safely–during sunflower season in Texas, you’ll see long lines of cars parked along highways and interstates, and the speed of nearby traffic requires caution!

Sunflowers, did you know?

Just what do you know about these beauties

Sunflowers are a familiar flower in almost every garden and yard. Most of us grow them in preschool, watching in amazement as a fat tiny seed in a dixie cup soon becomes a pretty plant to take home for mom.

Everyone knows how sunflowers turn their blooms to follow the sun throughout the day. This fact is often the start of a beautiful garden journey for school kids everywhere. There is much more to the magic of a sunflower, however.

Sunflowers are easy to grow. They require well-drained soil and full sun for the best results. Their large seeds must be pushed into the ground in spring and watered to germinate. They grow stunningly fast, so they are not suited for indoor growing. Thin the seedlings to at least 18 inches apart for best growth, and in my experience, they do well if given support as they reach towering heights and sometimes fall over due to that.

Sunflowers now come in a variety of sizes to fit any garden space. From blooms a foot across to dwarf varieties, there is a size to fit your garden or pot.

To harvest the seed takes patience on the part of the gardener. If seeds are desired, plant a variety that offers edible seeds. All sunflowers make seeds, but many have been cultivated to produce a showy bloom and stunted seeds.

A quick tip: If you want sunflower seeds for eating, plant raw sunflower seeds in the shell.

Flower heads are hung or laid out to dry, and then the seeds are rubbed out of the head. The seeds are then allowed to continue to dry thoroughly to avoid mildew.

Modern-day sunflowers are well known for their seed production but not much else. This is too bad since sunflowers offer so much to the garden and gardener that they should be regarded as a highly important plant in any landscape.

The seed of the sunflower is the best-known use of the plant. The seeds are eaten and enjoyed whole or pressed for heart-healthy oil.

The flower of sunflower is also edible, the petals making a bright addition to any salad. As small buds, sunflowers can be steamed and eaten also.

The leaf is used in herbal smoking mixtures and as a starter or catalyst for the compost pile.

Sunflower stems are used for paper making and, after they are burned, added as a fertilizer to increase potash in the soil.

One of the most exciting aspects of the sunflower is its ability to absorb moisture from the ground. This is not surprising, considering the stem contains a lightweight and porous pith valued for its strength and lightness. The Chinese use the pith of sunflower as moxa in acupuncture and in making ropes.

Are Sunflowers Poisonous?

Every month during the growing season, I receive at least a few emails asking if some parts of sunflowers are poisonous. From petal to root, all parts are suspect.

Answer: In short, no. There is nothing poisonous about any plant in the Helianthus (sunflower) family. Sunflowers offer medicinal as well as recreational benefits.

Sunflower Leaves

The leaves are used in herbal smoking mixtures. They offer mild smoke and are nicely used as a “bulk” part of your herbal tobacco mix. Try adding to tobacco when cutting back or trying to quit smoking.

Leaves are also used in a tincture of leaf/flowers for lunch issues and chest tightness, such as a reaction to scents or before a cough loosens. I use this tincture for my husband, who has COPD and gets bronchitis every winter, which lasts for months.

Sunflower Seeds

Make your roasted sunflower seeds by soaking unshelled seeds in 2 quarts of water with 1/4 cup salt.

Drain and spread them on a kitchen towel to soak up as much extra moisture as possible in the morning.

Then, spread the dried sunflower seeds onto a dry cookie sheet and bake in a 325 oven for 30-45 minutes or until the white part of the shells turns golden brown. Cool and eat! I store mine in a canning jar with a screw-type lid. They are a much-loved snack by adults and kids alike.

Sunflower seeds are also helpful when used by people trying to beat nicotine addiction. Browned seeds are also used as an infusion to provide whooping cough relief.

Sunflower Root

Used for Rheumatism, the roots are outside the scope of the home herbalist, but I encourage you to seek a professional herbalist and work with them and this helpful herb.

Something else interesting: I made a tincture from sunflower leaf and blossom, and it turned shocking pink! This unexpected color is how I gauge if my sunflower is the freshest it can be.

Harvesting Notes

When harvesting sunflowers, you will notice that your hands and fingernails become sticky with resin. This is indicative of herbs that are connected with lung issues.

Harvest in late summer, on a dry day when the plant is resinous. I always try to harvest before noon but after the dew has dried on the plant. I pick leaves in one pouch and harvest the blossom heads carefully, placing them in a basket as I go. I do not like piling a bunch of flowers into a closed pouch, especially when it is hot weather and I will be walking back to the house. I find that the delicate petals get bruised when they are heaped together. Work quickly, and get your blossoms into your tincture or drying rack before they have a chance to become shriveled and damaged.

Agricultural Crop

There is a market for sunflowers, and small herb farms may want to take note. Sunflowers are easy to grow (who hasn’t popped a seed into a Dixie cup?) and do not need extremely rich soil. Sunflowers grow rapidly. They use a lot of potash, so rotating crops is essential for the best yield. Harvest the heads, allow the stems to dry, and burn them. The resulting potash-rich ash can be returned to the location.

Your goats, cattle, and other livestock will love the seed, seed heads, stalks, and leaves of your sunflowers. So be sure to plant plenty for all. I like to cut and hang some sunflowers-stalks and all, dry them and then give one to my goats in the winter as a treat. They eat every speck.

Last but not least, nothing is more enjoyable than driving down a country road and seeing an entire field full of yellow, nodding heads of sunflowers. It’s cheerful and valuable at the same time!

Growing Sunflowers

Ah, one of the joys of summer is looking out onto the green spaces and seeing the cheerful heads of sunflowers brightening up the landscapes of Texas. The dainty multi-branched varieties grace our highways and are only one version of this giant family of flowers. There are many versions of sunflowers that you may want to grow to add a whimsical touch to your garden.

The sunflowers that reach massive heights are fun to grow with children. Mammoth, American Giant, and Giganteus top out between 12-16 feet. These large versions also produce massive amounts of seeds which are great for harvesting and roasting. We will learn how to harvest seeds in the next post. If you’d like to try some colorful versions Moulin Rouge, Firecracker, ProCut Red, and Little Becka are just a few types that feature beautiful shades of burnt oranges, golds, and reds. For allergy sufferers out there, there are pollen-free flowers just for you! Moulin Rouge, ProCut Bicolor, and Vincent Fresh are just a few pollen-less flowers you can grow. If you want something different, try Giant Sungold. This unique beauty looks like a giant yellow powder puff. It is a true show-stopper for any landscape and will start many conversations. The hardest part about growing sunflowers is choosing which ones to grow. After that, it’s super easy.

Select a spot that gets full sun to start your patch of golden beauties. This is very important because, as their name suggests, sunflowers love the sun and heat. Their heads track the sun in the sky, turning throughout the day to face the sun as it moves. Poor soil is not a deterrent, so there is no need to do much soil prep. A bit of compost or other organic matter is sufficient to get them started. Our season for growing sunflowers is long, stretching from March through September, making now a perfect time to plant seeds that can make it through the summer heat. Plant seeds about an inch deep and about half a foot apart. Water it well and wait a week or two for seedlings to emerge.

As the flowers grow, some of the skyscraper varieties might require staking if you are prone to the wind in your area. I’ve never had to stake the Mammoths that I usually grow every year due to their sturdy stems, but some others will tend to bend over when the heads get heavy. Sunflowers are drought tolerant, which is why they are so plentiful on the sides of roads and in fields, but a little extra water only helps them thrive. Water is most needed in the seedling stage, so a deep watering twice a week should get them off to a good start if there is no rain in the forecast.

Stalks grow quickly, but blooms usually take over two months to produce with most varieties. Blooms last about a couple of weeks, so sowing seeds in weekly increments will keep an extended display of sunshine in your landscape. And after the blooms begin to fade, don’t lose heart because, depending on the variety, you’ll soon be collecting thousands of seeds. Stay tuned for a primer on harvesting seeds in my next post. Meanwhile, go shopping for seeds!