July marks the start of sunflower season in St. Louis!
My daughter and I read all about these flower giants during a summer learning unit. Did you know that only young sunflowers follow the sun all day? Once the plant has matured, it always faces the East. Mother Nature certainly provides the perfect metaphors. As a new mama, I was always seeking out information, tips, and inspiration from outside sources that inevitably stretched my perspective and facilitated growth. As the years accumulate, I’m learning the necessity of digging my roots deeper, standing my ground, and trusting that the sun will return the following day.
Since 2020, we’ve been visiting one particular sunflower area. I’m always amazed how the fields are filled with the most precious buds sprinkled against the tallest stalks. Each step in their life cycle is on display in one mesmerizing vista.
Mamas- let’s recreate this delicate harmony as the noise of the world roars louder than ever with so many competing voices. Let’s balance the drive to seek out expert knowledge WITH a commitment to honor our own intuition and rhythms. And, most importantly, let’s try to radiate our own sunshine from within… we may never know who desperately needs it.
In honor of the sunflowers, make a date to visit a sea of literal sunshine this month or next. My favorite spot is Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. It’s a bit of a drive (north of Spanish Lake) but SO worth it!
Know Before You Go:
- When the fields will be in bloom is VERY dependent on the weather and rainfall. You can follow “Columbia Bottom Conservation Area” on Facebook to see their sunflower reports or search the same term on Instagram to see tags of recent photos. The fields can be in bloom anytime from mid-July through early August.
- There’s NO admission fee! Once you enter the conservation area, historically, there have been signs to direct you to the sunflower fields. Beware: it’s really dusty! The roads are gravel so don’t get a car wash before you go and be prepared for dusty feet if wearing sandals! Depending on recent weather, there could also be mud.
- There are bees! A LOT of them, in fact. My kids are polar opposites- Olivia is scared to death of them, and Ryan will attempt to pet big bumble bees. If your kiddo is anything like Olivia, you may want to talk with them before you arrive in terms of what to expect so they aren’t caught off guard.
- If you go in the middle of the day, be prepared for harsh lighting conditions. My best tip for this time is to bring along some cute sunglasses for your kids to wear. Otherwise, everyone in the picture will be squinting! Also, experiment with taking photos where your kiddo isn’t looking directly at you. Some of my favorite photos are of my kids walking along the sunflower path. Movement creates magic!
- My absolute favorite time to go is before sunset. The light is a little more even and presents some incredible sun flare opportunities. Even if it’s crowded, there’s enough space to spread out and make it appear as though your family is the only one in the field.
One other local destination that we love: the sunflower maze at Brookdale Farms. Again, bloom time is dependent on weather. This farm is located southwest of St. Louis in Eureka. Bonus: each year that we’ve been, they’ve had some incredible tractors that you can climb on in the field! Admission is $5 per person.
No matter where you experience the sunflowers, be prepared for these beauties to be taller than you expect! Take it in mamas, if you can. Stop, pause, and breathe. There is something indescribable about being surrounded by these massive stems that rhythmically search for the light.
