Fields of Gold At Hunsader Farms
There is nothing that cries out summer’s arrival in the north than the appearance of glorious sunflowers. As if the sun needed little reminders of its beauty and warmth, it created little mini-Me’s dotting the scenery and providing reminders to all to just smile. At least, that is what sunflowers have always done for me. Living as an adult in Florida has provided many moments of gratitude, but none that have equaled realizing that along with the snowbirds, sunflowers like to show up for our beautiful winter weather also. Go ahead and smile because sunflowers are in bloom at Hunsader.
The first time I checked out Hunsader’s Sunflowers was in 2020, when we were first navigating the pandemic and what would be many shutdowns. It was particularly refreshing on a beautiful day after being cooped up for what felt like a year, and would eventually turn into more than a year, to get out with a friend and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and, of course, those tall, lanky sunflowers. They really are magical, these giant beauties stretching as far as they can and adjusting their positions to face the sun. Yes, they really do follow the sun. The science of it all is called heliotropism. As the sun moves from east to west, the sunflower also turns to a westward direction, tracking the sun’s movements. A special hormone inside the sunflower called auxin builds up on the shaded part of the stem, allowing it to bend toward the sun. If you’ve often thought nature is incredible, a sunflower provides validation.
If you are picking up your sunflower bouquets at the grocery store or local farmer’s market, then you enjoy bringing in the color and joy that sunflowers exude into your surroundings. I get you! I love nothing more than a fresh bouquet of pure sunshine adorning all of my rooms.
Mark your calendars to head to Hunsader’s for you-pick sunflowers. Choosing the perfect sunflower to cut and bring home is a real treat if you are a fan of this flower. Photo opportunities abound in the flowering fields for couples or moms of kids looking for cute spring pictures. Along with fresh produce from Flowers | hunsaderfarms, sunflowers and other beautiful flowers are available for picking March through May.
From their website: Pricing & Info: Our zinnias and wildflowers are $8 for a cup worth of flowers (Note: you are not paying for the cup. The cup is a measurement for $8 worth of flowers). If you do not buy a cup, that does not mean you can cut a handful of flowers for free. Cups are provided. Remember to bring scissors or cutters!
Sunflowers $1 per yellow sunflower, and $3 per red/purple/chocolate/orange sunflower. For more updated info on our flower fields, check out our Facebook Page. The fields are open Mon-Sat 8am-4pm and Sundays 10am-3pm in the spring months.
5500 C.R. 675 Bradenton, Fl 34211
Tel: 941-322-2168
Photos courtesy of Hunsader Farms Facebook page.