We tried to take our annual Apple Orchard picking trip this morning, but when arrived we learned that due to the current drought we are in, the orchards have already been exhausted and closed a few weeks early.

Our new options were to pick our own pumpkins, or cut our own Sunflowers. We went with cutting sunflowers since we already have our own pumpkin patch and plan to try to sell them from our own yard market we are planning & preparing for.

The sunflowers were sold $1 per stem. Each kid got to pick one sunflower. I got one yellow, one orange, and one maroon. Some had multiple flowers on each stem. I think that was a very fair deal.

The farm only accept Cash, Check, or Venmo so plan ahead for that if you make the trip. They have produce, apple cider, pumpkins, homemade jams, and sunflowers for sale.

McGlassons Farms is a cute little farm located at 5832 River Road in Hebron, Kentucky. It is definitely worth making a trip to, and the family who owns & operates it is very kind. I’m going to plan earlier for next year so we can experience their U-Pick Apple Orchard, although it has been a lot of fun trying to experience a new orchard each year.

My sunflower bouquet is very beautiful and I’m glad that we went. We may not have gotten to pick apples, but it was not a wasted trip. I was really disappointed that we wouldn’t be able to attend the Gorman Heritage Farm Sunflower Festival this year, so it was special that we still got the U-Pick Sunflower cutting experience.

I’ve already got one baby sunflower from low on the stem in the propagation station preparing for our yard. I’m hoping for some nice, strong roots to grow in the mean time. I already planted a ton of Sunflower seeds this year, too late in the season. I am hoping next year they surprise me for a lovely addition to our mini homestead. I was inspired to buy a few more sunflower seed packets marked down to almost nothing to plant next spring just in case.

This was my favorite sunflower. Orange is my favorite color and it reminded me a lot of the bouquet my best friend, Kara, & I made for my fall wedding to Niko.

Facts About Sunflowers

🌻 Sunflowers are Ukraine’s National Flower.

🌻 The Ukrainian word for Sunflower is: соняшник

🌻 Sunflowers were planted around Chernobyl after the Nuclear Power Plant explosion to act as filters, extracting the toxins from the soil and removing radiative chemicals from surrounding soil and ponds.

🌻 In 1996 – when Ukraine agreed to give up their Nuclear weapons – Ukraine, Russia, and the United States planted Sunflowers as a symbol of the three nations shared goal of “ensuring that our children and our grandchildren will live in peace.”

🌻 In Ukrainian folklore, Sunflowers are believed to offer protection against evil spirits, bad fortune, and illness.

🌻 Sunflowers have medicinal properties. They can be used to treat fevers, colds & coughs, insect & snake bites, lower blood pressure, act as a diuretic, treat malaria, accelerate childbirth, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidants, detox chemicals, treat chest pains, treat wounds, treat kidneys, stimulate appetite, supports a healthy thyroid, remove warts, and aid body growth & development.

🌻 Ukraine is the world’s largest producer & exporter of Sunflower Seeds and Sunflower Oil.

🌻 Before Christianty, Ukrainian & other Slavic people worshipped the sun (some of us, like myself, still do). Sunflowers represent the sun’s warmth, power, & magical healing. They also represent hope & loyality because they face the rising sun each day, loyally following the sun’s path. Sunflowers also represent fertility, unity, longevity, & peace.

🌻 Sunflowers are also used to represent rememberance, resistance, & solidarity for the millions of Ukrainian victims of Holodomor.

🌻 The entire Sunflower is edible and useful. One of my favorite ways to eat Sunflowers is Ukrainian Halva, a delicious dessert made from the seeds.

You may even remember this Ukrainian woman who offered sunflower seeds to the Russian occupiers on the first day of the invasion (February 24, 2022). If this is the first time you are seeing this video, enjoy this beautiful, brave soul of a hero:

Until next time ♡ Mama Morozov