Corrales Azafran Safflower

New Mexico heirloom annual multi-purpose crop adapted to drought and heat. Yellow-orange flowers attract pollinators. Flowers are an inexpensive saffron substitute and used for natural dyeing. Attractive white seeds are pressed for cooking oil. Leave plants for fall bird food - seeds are enjoyed by chickadees, cardinals, Steller's Jays, and others. Requires minimal watering. 

Growing: Best direct seeded, but can be transplanted with care.

Transplanting: start 3-4 weeks before average last frost date. Sow seeds 1/2" deep and keep at 15-20° C. Transplant once plants have put on some growth and before taproot is too long to handle. Space 2-3' apart in rows or blocks.

Direct seeding: Sow 2-3 seeds 1/2" deep, 2-3' apart in rows or block, around the average last frost date. Thin to strongest plants.

Growing tips: Plant in full sun, in well-drained soil. Safflower does not tolerate wet, saturated conditions. Small plants tolerate light frost. Early growth is slow, so be patient. Keep area weeded and watch for slugs.

Dry growing (growing without watering or minimal watering): Safflower is native to hot, dry areas and its roots can penetrate up to 10' deep, ideal for dry growing. Started in mid-spring, when weather has warmed a bit and the soil still has lots of moisture allows safflower's roots to get well-established before the soil starts to dry out in summer. Watch for signs of wilting in the hottest part of the day. On our sandy soils, I have only seen safflower display water stress once: I had it growing in a greenhouse and forgot to open the doors during the height of the summer. When I realized what had happened and went inside, the temperature was 57° C. I opened the door, and the safflower recovered in half an hour.