Murfreesboro, TN – With more people moving to Rutherford County each month than almost anywhere else in the state, many newcomers are discovering the joys—and challenges—of putting down roots in Tennessee’s fastest-growing county. Fortunately, the UT-TSU Extension staff at the Rutherford County Agricultural Extension Service is here to help residents blossom, quite literally.
From learning how to nurture healthy lawns to choosing flowers that can handle the region’s famously rocky, clay-heavy soil, the team at the Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.) is a go-to resource for anyone eager to dig into gardening. One flower in particular is catching the spotlight: the sunflower.
Native to North America, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are surprisingly easy to grow in Middle Tennessee’s climate. These cheerful giants can stretch anywhere from 20 inches to over 20 feet tall, with colors ranging from classic yellow to deep red, bronze, and even pink. Varieties like ‘Autumn Beauty’, ‘Concert Bell’, ‘Earth Walker’, and the towering ‘Mammoth’ thrive in the full sun and tolerate less-than-perfect soil, making them ideal for Rutherford County’s landscape…