Jack Payne and Tom Mott show off two crappie they caught.
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
By Jack Payne
The cool weather has kept the bluegills on the beds a bit longer than in previous years.
With that said, there are a few tips to share for spawning and post-spawn bluegills.
I like having a rod in hand, so this tip works great for me. A number seven split shot, an in-line float, and some type of foam spider – either a Bully Spider or a small foam spider.
The split shot should be about two feet above the spider. The in-line float is added before tying on the spider. With this delicate and lightweight rig, you can cast it a fair distance. The in-line float will assist in keeping the foam spider just off of the bottom.
Cast the rig out, let it sit for a few minutes, and slowly reel it in. I generally slide it forward about one foot. Then I let it sit for 30-60 seconds and continue this process.
A second rod will have a slip float attached. Most often I will use a tiny glow-in-the-dark teardrop tipped with either a spike or a wax worm. Use a very small float and enough sinkers to sink at least 60 percent of the float. Cast the float out, work it back in with a few pauses and slowly reel it in perhaps six inches at a time.
As the bluegills leave the beds they will hang out near a weed bed or the first drop-off the closest to their spawning areas. In this situation, we use two basic setups. The first is the same float rig mentioned minus the float. We might even go down a size or two on the split shot. You want the spider to slowly sink in a natural and teasing manner.
The other rig we enjoy fishing in is a homemade spinner harness rig. This rig looks like a crawler harness rig but scaled down for the bluegill. I will tie on two number ten hooks spaced one inch apart.
Four small glass beads are added and then a very small clevis. My favorite size blade would be a 00 or a size 0. I use three colors of blades - a gold/brass, a silver/ nickel and chartreuse. I buy my beads from Hobby Lobby in a small tube.
We like the Belgium worms, but any fat worm will work. Avoid the small red worms. Depending on the wind and depth of water fishing you might need to add one number seven split shot. Cast this rig out and work it around the deep side or the weeds and any small openings that you might spot.
When the crappies are holding fairly tight to the weed line, a bobber might become your best friend. With a bobber and a marabou/hairstyle jig, you can work the lure at the exact depth that the fish are holding.
It also works great when the wind is blowing. We will cast upwind with maybe a maximum 45-degree angle. This angle will provide a decent distance for the rig to travel before you need to reel in and cast out.
This is also the time when a 1/32 or at the heaviest a 1/16-ounce jighead with a Charlie Brewer Crappie Grub would work. The lighter the jighead, the slower the fall rate of the lure.
A slow descent is tough for a crappie to pass on. This is also the time to use four-pound est. Please, never go heavier than six pounds, and use an ultra-light or light rod.
Half of our bluegill and crappies rods we built using a number three weight fly rod. The other panfish rods will be ultra-light fast action rods.
The last suggested crappie technique would be the use of a Road Runner spinner and the Slider Grub. The Road Runner is a pony head-shaped jig with a very small spinner blade. We add the plastic grub. The flash of the spinner and the wiggle of the plastic grub provide plenty of flash and action and a 1/32-ounce slow fall makes this an irresistible combination.
Remember to stop in and visit Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop.
The cool weather has kept the bluegills on the beds a bit longer than in previous years.
With that said, there are a few tips to share for spawning and post-spawn bluegills.
I like having a rod in hand, so this tip works great for me. A number seven split shot, an in-line float, and some type of foam spider – either a Bully Spider or a small foam spider.
The split shot should be about two feet above the spider. The in-line float is added before tying on the spider. With this delicate and lightweight rig, you can cast it a fair distance. The in-line float will assist in keeping the foam spider just off of the bottom.
Cast the rig out, let it sit for a few minutes, and slowly reel it in. I generally slide it forward about one foot. Then I let it sit for 30-60 seconds and continue this process.
A second rod will have a slip float attached. Most often I will use a tiny glow-in-the-dark teardrop tipped with either a spike or a wax worm. Use a very small float and enough sinkers to sink at least 60 percent of the float. Cast the float out, work it back in with a few pauses and slowly reel it in perhaps six inches at a time.
As the bluegills leave the beds they will hang out near a weed bed or the first drop-off the closest to their spawning areas. In this situation, we use two basic setups. The first is the same float rig mentioned minus the float. We might even go down a size or two on the split shot. You want the spider to slowly sink in a natural and teasing manner.
The other rig we enjoy fishing in is a homemade spinner harness rig. This rig looks like a crawler harness rig but scaled down for the bluegill. I will tie on two number ten hooks spaced one inch apart.
Four small glass beads are added and then a very small clevis. My favorite size blade would be a 00 or a size 0. I use three colors of blades - a gold/brass, a silver/ nickel and chartreuse. I buy my beads from Hobby Lobby in a small tube.
We like the Belgium worms, but any fat worm will work. Avoid the small red worms. Depending on the wind and depth of water fishing you might need to add one number seven split shot. Cast this rig out and work it around the deep side or the weeds and any small openings that you might spot.
When the crappies are holding fairly tight to the weed line, a bobber might become your best friend. With a bobber and a marabou/hairstyle jig, you can work the lure at the exact depth that the fish are holding.
It also works great when the wind is blowing. We will cast upwind with maybe a maximum 45-degree angle. This angle will provide a decent distance for the rig to travel before you need to reel in and cast out.
This is also the time when a 1/32 or at the heaviest a 1/16-ounce jighead with a Charlie Brewer Crappie Grub would work. The lighter the jighead, the slower the fall rate of the lure.
A slow descent is tough for a crappie to pass on. This is also the time to use four-pound est. Please, never go heavier than six pounds, and use an ultra-light or light rod.
Half of our bluegill and crappies rods we built using a number three weight fly rod. The other panfish rods will be ultra-light fast action rods.
The last suggested crappie technique would be the use of a Road Runner spinner and the Slider Grub. The Road Runner is a pony head-shaped jig with a very small spinner blade. We add the plastic grub. The flash of the spinner and the wiggle of the plastic grub provide plenty of flash and action and a 1/32-ounce slow fall makes this an irresistible combination.
Remember to stop in and visit Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop.
Celebration Set for Completion of Grand Crossings Loop
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A celebration has been set for later this month to mark the completion of the Grand Crossings Loop – a 24-mile continuous pathway that circles the Grand River between U.S. 31 and M-231 in northwest Ottawa County.
A celebration to mark the completion of the six-mile-long Bayou Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail – the final link in the Grand Crossings Loop – will take place Thursday, June 26 at 3 p.m. at 14023 Green St., Grand Haven.
This Grand Crossing Loop connects multiple parks, trail segments, and communities along the Grand River, creating opportunities for outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and regional connectivity.
The completion of the Bayou Segment was made possible by the expansion of the Green Street Bridge over Stearns Bayou, along with new wayfinding signage in the city of Grand Haven to help trail users navigate the route. The bridge improvements enhance safety and include two bump outs for fishing and wildlife viewing.
With the completion of the Bayou Segment, the western third of the Idema Explorers Trail is now complete. This scenic stretch links more than 1,000 acres of parkland on the south side of the Grand River and provides access to the unique bayou ecosystem found along its western edge. Several public parks along the way offer opportunities to explore this ecologically rich area.
“This project opens up access to a beautiful and meaningful part of the Grand River,” said Monica and Samantha Verplank, co-chairs of the Grand River Greenway Capital Campaign. Another past co-chair of the capital campaign, U.S. Ambassador Peter Secchia, died in 2020.
“This area was special to our father-in-law, Gary Verplank, and we’re proud to see this vision come to life.”
The Idema Explorers Trail, when finished, will span 36.5 miles and serve as the centerpiece of the Ottawa County portion of the Grand River Greenway - a regional initiative connecting Grand Haven to Grand Rapids along the south side of the Grand River.
Construction of the trail began in 2017 and has been completed in phases, thanks to public-private partnerships and generous support from donors and the community.
You can learn more about the Bayou Segment, the Grand Crossings Loop and the Idema Explorers Trail online at grandriver greenway.org. You can also explore maps and plan your next trail adventure at that same website.
Zeeland Record
A celebration has been set for later this month to mark the completion of the Grand Crossings Loop – a 24-mile continuous pathway that circles the Grand River between U.S. 31 and M-231 in northwest Ottawa County.
A celebration to mark the completion of the six-mile-long Bayou Segment of the Idema Explorers Trail – the final link in the Grand Crossings Loop – will take place Thursday, June 26 at 3 p.m. at 14023 Green St., Grand Haven.
This Grand Crossing Loop connects multiple parks, trail segments, and communities along the Grand River, creating opportunities for outdoor recreation, wildlife viewing, and regional connectivity.
The completion of the Bayou Segment was made possible by the expansion of the Green Street Bridge over Stearns Bayou, along with new wayfinding signage in the city of Grand Haven to help trail users navigate the route. The bridge improvements enhance safety and include two bump outs for fishing and wildlife viewing.
With the completion of the Bayou Segment, the western third of the Idema Explorers Trail is now complete. This scenic stretch links more than 1,000 acres of parkland on the south side of the Grand River and provides access to the unique bayou ecosystem found along its western edge. Several public parks along the way offer opportunities to explore this ecologically rich area.
“This project opens up access to a beautiful and meaningful part of the Grand River,” said Monica and Samantha Verplank, co-chairs of the Grand River Greenway Capital Campaign. Another past co-chair of the capital campaign, U.S. Ambassador Peter Secchia, died in 2020.
“This area was special to our father-in-law, Gary Verplank, and we’re proud to see this vision come to life.”
The Idema Explorers Trail, when finished, will span 36.5 miles and serve as the centerpiece of the Ottawa County portion of the Grand River Greenway - a regional initiative connecting Grand Haven to Grand Rapids along the south side of the Grand River.
Construction of the trail began in 2017 and has been completed in phases, thanks to public-private partnerships and generous support from donors and the community.
You can learn more about the Bayou Segment, the Grand Crossings Loop and the Idema Explorers Trail online at grandriver greenway.org. You can also explore maps and plan your next trail adventure at that same website.
Dive into Summer Reading Focusing on Michigan Waters
If you’re in the mood to both enjoy and learn about the waters around us (as intended), a fulfilling “beach read” might be just the thing you’re looking for.
More than 640 local libraries and branches statewide, plus 11 traveling bookmobiles, bring lake-centered literature within reach for almost any Michigander. And librarians at the local and state levels are ready to help with resources and recommendations – from fiction to fact to field guides and more.
The mission of the Library of Michigan (LM) in Lansing is to collect, preserve, and provide access to the story of Michigan and to support local libraries. Its comprehensive collection of Michigan-related material includes books, documents, journals, and more.
In addition to its own searchable catalog, LM’s Michigan eLibrary (MeLCat) Search gives all Michigan residents free online access to full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and research information and provides an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system for borrowing books and other materials for free from participating Michigan libraries.
The library’s 20 Michigan Notable Books for 2025 also include several with a Michigan natural setting or focus, including:
• “A Cast Away in Montana” by Tim Schultz.
• “Funny Story” by Emily Henry.
• “I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger.
• “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” by Anna Rose Johnson.
• “Recipes from the Cedar Swamp: A Cookbook” by Old Time Hawkey.
• “Sail, Steam, and Diesel: Moving Cargo on the Great Lakes” by Eric Hirsimaki.
• “The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell.
• “What Can the Matter Be” by poet Keith Taylor.
Eileen Boekestein, environmental education manager for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offered a few more recommendations for young readers:
• “The Legend of Sleeping Bear” by Kathy-jo Wargin.
• “M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet” by Annie Appleford.
• “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble.
• “Stepping Stones: Walking Lake Michigan” by Carol Ann Trembath.
“Whether you love adventure, history, science, or storytelling, there’s something for everyone: books about our Great Lakes, incredible wildlife, environmental champions, and the landscapes that make our state special,” Boekestein said.
Here are more recommended reads and resources to suit practically anyone’s taste:
• Great Lakes Great Read – an initiative of the nonprofit Library of the Great Lakes, a virtual resource serving the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces – launched with two book selections: Joanne Robertson’s 2017 children’s book “The Water Walker,” which tells the story of an Ojibwe grandmother who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect water, and Sally Cole-Misch’s 2020 book “The Best Part of Us,” a book for adults that explores family connections to an island in Canadian waters near Lake Huron. Webinars with the authors of both books are available for viewing.
• The Junior Water Walker Water Box initiative provides school groups or classes with Water Boxes containing “The Water Walker” book, a message from the author, a journal with student-designed covers, the Four Sacred Medicines (tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass), teaching cards, and a wishing stone.
• Read Michigan's online Biblioboard offers curated lists of Michigan outdoors- and vacation-focused reads, poetry, notable books and authors, field and activity guides, and more.
• The Goodreads website lists more than 590 books set in Michigan and includes reader ratings and reviews.
• The Center for Great Lakes Literacy offers a Select Bibliography of the Great Lakes and a Select Bibliography of the Great Lakes for Young Readers.
• EGLE’s annual Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report offers multiple magazine-style articles on topics of interest and importance around the Great Lakes and fresh water.
Whether you settle in on a sandy beach, a lakeside hammock, a park bench, or a room with a view, there’s plenty of enrichment to soak up by reading about our matchless Great Lakes and fresh water and the stories surrounding them.
More than 640 local libraries and branches statewide, plus 11 traveling bookmobiles, bring lake-centered literature within reach for almost any Michigander. And librarians at the local and state levels are ready to help with resources and recommendations – from fiction to fact to field guides and more.
The mission of the Library of Michigan (LM) in Lansing is to collect, preserve, and provide access to the story of Michigan and to support local libraries. Its comprehensive collection of Michigan-related material includes books, documents, journals, and more.
In addition to its own searchable catalog, LM’s Michigan eLibrary (MeLCat) Search gives all Michigan residents free online access to full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and research information and provides an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system for borrowing books and other materials for free from participating Michigan libraries.
The library’s 20 Michigan Notable Books for 2025 also include several with a Michigan natural setting or focus, including:
• “A Cast Away in Montana” by Tim Schultz.
• “Funny Story” by Emily Henry.
• “I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger.
• “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” by Anna Rose Johnson.
• “Recipes from the Cedar Swamp: A Cookbook” by Old Time Hawkey.
• “Sail, Steam, and Diesel: Moving Cargo on the Great Lakes” by Eric Hirsimaki.
• “The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell.
• “What Can the Matter Be” by poet Keith Taylor.
Eileen Boekestein, environmental education manager for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offered a few more recommendations for young readers:
• “The Legend of Sleeping Bear” by Kathy-jo Wargin.
• “M is for Mitten: A Michigan Alphabet” by Annie Appleford.
• “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble.
• “Stepping Stones: Walking Lake Michigan” by Carol Ann Trembath.
“Whether you love adventure, history, science, or storytelling, there’s something for everyone: books about our Great Lakes, incredible wildlife, environmental champions, and the landscapes that make our state special,” Boekestein said.
Here are more recommended reads and resources to suit practically anyone’s taste:
• Great Lakes Great Read – an initiative of the nonprofit Library of the Great Lakes, a virtual resource serving the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces – launched with two book selections: Joanne Robertson’s 2017 children’s book “The Water Walker,” which tells the story of an Ojibwe grandmother who walks to raise awareness of the need to protect water, and Sally Cole-Misch’s 2020 book “The Best Part of Us,” a book for adults that explores family connections to an island in Canadian waters near Lake Huron. Webinars with the authors of both books are available for viewing.
• The Junior Water Walker Water Box initiative provides school groups or classes with Water Boxes containing “The Water Walker” book, a message from the author, a journal with student-designed covers, the Four Sacred Medicines (tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass), teaching cards, and a wishing stone.
• Read Michigan's online Biblioboard offers curated lists of Michigan outdoors- and vacation-focused reads, poetry, notable books and authors, field and activity guides, and more.
• The Goodreads website lists more than 590 books set in Michigan and includes reader ratings and reviews.
• The Center for Great Lakes Literacy offers a Select Bibliography of the Great Lakes and a Select Bibliography of the Great Lakes for Young Readers.
• EGLE’s annual Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report offers multiple magazine-style articles on topics of interest and importance around the Great Lakes and fresh water.
Whether you settle in on a sandy beach, a lakeside hammock, a park bench, or a room with a view, there’s plenty of enrichment to soak up by reading about our matchless Great Lakes and fresh water and the stories surrounding them.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
Many years ago, when I first started Outdoor Truths, I wanted to be connected with some hunting and fishing companies. I felt like any association would help me grow the influence I wanted to have.
I was not only able to get some sponsorships, but I actually became a pro-staff member for a few of those companies as well.
Even now, I hesitate to even mention the name “pro-staff” because it involves the word “pro.” And if there is any word that I should never be associated with, it’s the word “pro.” I laugh even as I write this.
But for some reason, the real pros were busy with real pro stuff, so the trophy spike killer was available. So, there I was trying to act like I knew what I was talking about at places like Bass Pro Shops and trade shows.
Now don’t get me wrong, I never lied about my adventures or exaggerated my accomplishments, but I did stand in a place where real pros stand and have to talk about things that real pros talk about. But I had to do it with surface-level knowledge and experience.
It was uncomfortable at times, and very humbling at times, but it was part of the responsibilities that came with the position. Silence and solitude were not an option. I didn’t want silence or solitude, I just felt like I either had very little to offer, or that once I opened my mouth, my real status would be exposed.
This is also the dilemma for those of us who are Christians.
It stands out to me that after Jesus rose from the dead, He gave his disciples a responsibility. He said, “You will be my witnesses.” But then He gave them instructions to wait. Don’t do anything. Just wait.
There’s no doubt they were ready to tell anyone who would listen, about what they had just witnessed. They needed no impetus. They needed no charge. They needed no motivational speech. And yet the instructions were to wait. But why?
Because their witness needed to be empowered. It was that important. It needed to be empowered because they were not pros. In fact, they were not even beginners. They were the first. They had nothing. They knew nothing. And without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, their normal, simple, and even sinful lives would be exposed as having words with no transformational power.
So, they waited, and then the Holy Spirit was given. And when the Holy Spirit came, it first showed up in the form of language. Each foreigner there heard the gospel in their own language, from people who otherwise couldn’t speak that language. There’s no doubt the first command to believers and the first purpose of the Holy Spirit was to give witness. Solitude and silence was – and is – not an option.
I know you feel inadequate. I know your life is not the best example. I know you’re not a pro. But you have the Spirit. And the Spirit takes your story and transforms it in the ears of the listeners.
Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.” Not His pros. Because there are none.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
Many years ago, when I first started Outdoor Truths, I wanted to be connected with some hunting and fishing companies. I felt like any association would help me grow the influence I wanted to have.
I was not only able to get some sponsorships, but I actually became a pro-staff member for a few of those companies as well.
Even now, I hesitate to even mention the name “pro-staff” because it involves the word “pro.” And if there is any word that I should never be associated with, it’s the word “pro.” I laugh even as I write this.
But for some reason, the real pros were busy with real pro stuff, so the trophy spike killer was available. So, there I was trying to act like I knew what I was talking about at places like Bass Pro Shops and trade shows.
Now don’t get me wrong, I never lied about my adventures or exaggerated my accomplishments, but I did stand in a place where real pros stand and have to talk about things that real pros talk about. But I had to do it with surface-level knowledge and experience.
It was uncomfortable at times, and very humbling at times, but it was part of the responsibilities that came with the position. Silence and solitude were not an option. I didn’t want silence or solitude, I just felt like I either had very little to offer, or that once I opened my mouth, my real status would be exposed.
This is also the dilemma for those of us who are Christians.
It stands out to me that after Jesus rose from the dead, He gave his disciples a responsibility. He said, “You will be my witnesses.” But then He gave them instructions to wait. Don’t do anything. Just wait.
There’s no doubt they were ready to tell anyone who would listen, about what they had just witnessed. They needed no impetus. They needed no charge. They needed no motivational speech. And yet the instructions were to wait. But why?
Because their witness needed to be empowered. It was that important. It needed to be empowered because they were not pros. In fact, they were not even beginners. They were the first. They had nothing. They knew nothing. And without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, their normal, simple, and even sinful lives would be exposed as having words with no transformational power.
So, they waited, and then the Holy Spirit was given. And when the Holy Spirit came, it first showed up in the form of language. Each foreigner there heard the gospel in their own language, from people who otherwise couldn’t speak that language. There’s no doubt the first command to believers and the first purpose of the Holy Spirit was to give witness. Solitude and silence was – and is – not an option.
I know you feel inadequate. I know your life is not the best example. I know you’re not a pro. But you have the Spirit. And the Spirit takes your story and transforms it in the ears of the listeners.
Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.” Not His pros. Because there are none.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
Plant Sunflowers for Season of Enjoyment
Concert Bell sunflowers produce multiple flower heads along the stem for a ready-made bouquet from a single stem.
Photo courtesy All-America Selections
By Melinda Myers
Sunflowers are one of those happy plants many gardeners can’t resist planting. Kids love to watch the plants reach for the sky and everyone enjoys all the visitors. You are likely to see hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators on the flowers, songbirds munching on the seeds, and squirrels practicing acrobatic contortions as they try to gain their fair share of the harvest.
What we call the flower is made of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers. The large petals are, in fact, infertile ray flowers that do not develop into seeds. The center consists of fertile disk flowers that develop into seeds after pollination occurs.
These versatile flowers tolerate a wide range of soils around the world and are drought tolerant. It is not surprising they have been used by people for more than four thousand years. Native Americans used the flowers for pigments, seeds for food, the dried stems for construction and fuel. Today millions of acres of sunflowers are grown for the edible seeds, oil, and birdseed.
There is still time to plant sunflowers. Just check the seed packet for the number of days from planting seed until bloom. You’ll find varieties that mature in as few as 55 days while others need as many as 120 days to flower. Start planting sunflower seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed and soil is about 60°F. Extend the bloom time by making additional plantings, allowing enough time for the plants to flower before the first fall frost.
Protect seeds and seedlings from birds and other critters. Cover the area with a floating row cover, a spun fabric that lets air, light and water through to the plants, or some type of netting or screen. Plant the seeds one to two inches deep and six inches apart in rows two to three feet apart. Remove every other seedling once they are several inches tall.
Protect young plants from deer if needed. These critters can quickly destroy young plants so consider using a repellent or fencing if deer are a problem in your area.
Water often enough to keep the soil moist around the seeds and young seedlings. Gradually extend the time between watering to encourage the plants to grow a robust root system. Continue to water thoroughly as needed throughout the growing season. Fertilize at planting and make a second application mid-summer if needed. Follow the fertilizer label directions for proper timing and rates.
Staking isn’t usually needed to support even the taller varieties unless they are growing sunflowers in a windy location or are overcrowded. Use a metal or wood stake placed close to the stem if you need to stake the plants. Secure the plant to the stake using twine or soft ties made from cloth.
As the flowers appear, watch them track the sun from east to west and return facing east each morning. Scientists recently discovered the young plant’s sun-tracking, also called heliotropism, is tied to the plant’s circadian rhythms. One side of the stem elongates during the day and the other side at night, directing the flower toward the sun. As the flowers mature, they stay facing east, helping to attract pollinators like bees to the warmer flower surface.
Enjoy watching your sunflowers sprout, grow and flower. Take time to observe the many visitors to the blooms and be sure to harvest a few seeds for snacking.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition, MN & WI Month-by-Month Gardening, and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio show on WTMJ radio for over 20 years and seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers. com which features gardening videos, audio tips, free webinars, monthly gardening tips, and other gardening information.
Sunflowers are one of those happy plants many gardeners can’t resist planting. Kids love to watch the plants reach for the sky and everyone enjoys all the visitors. You are likely to see hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators on the flowers, songbirds munching on the seeds, and squirrels practicing acrobatic contortions as they try to gain their fair share of the harvest.
What we call the flower is made of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers. The large petals are, in fact, infertile ray flowers that do not develop into seeds. The center consists of fertile disk flowers that develop into seeds after pollination occurs.
These versatile flowers tolerate a wide range of soils around the world and are drought tolerant. It is not surprising they have been used by people for more than four thousand years. Native Americans used the flowers for pigments, seeds for food, the dried stems for construction and fuel. Today millions of acres of sunflowers are grown for the edible seeds, oil, and birdseed.
There is still time to plant sunflowers. Just check the seed packet for the number of days from planting seed until bloom. You’ll find varieties that mature in as few as 55 days while others need as many as 120 days to flower. Start planting sunflower seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed and soil is about 60°F. Extend the bloom time by making additional plantings, allowing enough time for the plants to flower before the first fall frost.
Protect seeds and seedlings from birds and other critters. Cover the area with a floating row cover, a spun fabric that lets air, light and water through to the plants, or some type of netting or screen. Plant the seeds one to two inches deep and six inches apart in rows two to three feet apart. Remove every other seedling once they are several inches tall.
Protect young plants from deer if needed. These critters can quickly destroy young plants so consider using a repellent or fencing if deer are a problem in your area.
Water often enough to keep the soil moist around the seeds and young seedlings. Gradually extend the time between watering to encourage the plants to grow a robust root system. Continue to water thoroughly as needed throughout the growing season. Fertilize at planting and make a second application mid-summer if needed. Follow the fertilizer label directions for proper timing and rates.
Staking isn’t usually needed to support even the taller varieties unless they are growing sunflowers in a windy location or are overcrowded. Use a metal or wood stake placed close to the stem if you need to stake the plants. Secure the plant to the stake using twine or soft ties made from cloth.
As the flowers appear, watch them track the sun from east to west and return facing east each morning. Scientists recently discovered the young plant’s sun-tracking, also called heliotropism, is tied to the plant’s circadian rhythms. One side of the stem elongates during the day and the other side at night, directing the flower toward the sun. As the flowers mature, they stay facing east, helping to attract pollinators like bees to the warmer flower surface.
Enjoy watching your sunflowers sprout, grow and flower. Take time to observe the many visitors to the blooms and be sure to harvest a few seeds for snacking.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition, MN & WI Month-by-Month Gardening, and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio show on WTMJ radio for over 20 years and seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. Myers’ website is MelindaMyers. com which features gardening videos, audio tips, free webinars, monthly gardening tips, and other gardening information.
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Offers Field Botany Course
How often do you notice a plant in your backyard or along a road, trail or stream, and wonder what it is?
Take the guesswork out of identifying plants and broaden your knowledge of plant distribution by joining the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and local experts for a six-week course beginning Wednesday, July 30.
The Field Botany course will feature two in-person class sessions and four field trips, all held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. The course is open to plant enthusiasts of all skill levels. Sessions will examine a variety of topics, including:
• Basic botanical terminology
• See the forest for the trees (field trip to Kellogg Forest)
• Wetland plants of the Midwest (field trip to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute)
• History and distribution of Michigan’s native plant communities
• Prairies and savannas of Michigan (field trip to Chipman Preserve)
• Aquatic plants (field trip to KBS Lux Arbor Reserve)
Register for the course at bit.ly/ kbs-field-botany-2025 by 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 28; space is limited to 25 participants. The cost is $165 for Sanctuary members and $185 for non-members.
The course qualifies for Master Gardener program credits, and advanced training recertification requirements for both the Michigan Conservation Stewards and MSU Extension Michigan Master Naturalist programs.
Past course participants appreciated the format of having a unique topic for each class as well as "learning the special features of the plants and interesting backstories of how plants have been used in history."
Located in Hickory Corners, the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
For more information about the sanctuary, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu. Direct questions to birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or (269) 671-2510.
Take the guesswork out of identifying plants and broaden your knowledge of plant distribution by joining the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and local experts for a six-week course beginning Wednesday, July 30.
The Field Botany course will feature two in-person class sessions and four field trips, all held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. The course is open to plant enthusiasts of all skill levels. Sessions will examine a variety of topics, including:
• Basic botanical terminology
• See the forest for the trees (field trip to Kellogg Forest)
• Wetland plants of the Midwest (field trip to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute)
• History and distribution of Michigan’s native plant communities
• Prairies and savannas of Michigan (field trip to Chipman Preserve)
• Aquatic plants (field trip to KBS Lux Arbor Reserve)
Register for the course at bit.ly/ kbs-field-botany-2025 by 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 28; space is limited to 25 participants. The cost is $165 for Sanctuary members and $185 for non-members.
The course qualifies for Master Gardener program credits, and advanced training recertification requirements for both the Michigan Conservation Stewards and MSU Extension Michigan Master Naturalist programs.
Past course participants appreciated the format of having a unique topic for each class as well as "learning the special features of the plants and interesting backstories of how plants have been used in history."
Located in Hickory Corners, the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
For more information about the sanctuary, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu. Direct questions to birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or (269) 671-2510.
