Planting date and variety selection are practices implemented to maximize yield and often crop quality.
Optimal planting dates for sunflowers have yet to be determined for the Northeast. In Vermont, farmers
generally try to have their sunflower crop planted by late May to meet the long growing season required
by this crop. Based on research conducted in other regions, modifying planting date and variety may also
help reduce bird, insect, and disease pressure. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine the
impact of planting date and variety selection on sunflower yield and pest pressure. While the data
presented is only representative of one year, this information can be combined with other research to aid
in making planting date decisions for sunflowers in the Northeast.