Colorful Photo Spot Blooms Again: A Second Chance After Last Year’s Flock!

Local photographers and flower enthusiasts are excited as Maricopa’s sunflower fields are back after a two-year hiatus.

A vibrant 90-acre expanse of sunflowers is blooming just south of State Route 238 on Ralston Road. Residents recently spotted these golden flowers for the first time since 2023.

Frank Fierro, who manages the field alongside agronomist Jon Chernicky and farmer Larry Hart, provided insight into the return of the sunflowers. Their efforts focus on commercial sales.

“Our worst enemy is the birds,” Fierro stated, emphasizing a challenge they faced annually.

Last year, birds consumed about 50% of the planting seeds, which led Hart to pivot to an alfalfa crop instead.

Fierro noted that the birds often come from a nearby dairy, instinctively targeting the seeds at peak ripeness.

This timing is crucial not only for the birds but also for Cargill Beauty, a subsidiary of the Minnesota-based food corporation.

“Our seed goes to Cargill Beauty for cosmetic oil,” Fierro explained, highlighting the demand for high-oleic acid in beauty products.

This particular acid extends the shelf life of oils, making them ideal for cosmetics. To ensure quality, the team limits fertilizer use and avoids pesticides and genetically modified seeds across their farms.

Fierro welcomes locals who wish to photograph the sunflowers but advises visitors to respect private property.

“Just stay on the road,” he cautioned, noting that while public access is allowed, it must not encroach on farming land.

However, the opportunity to enjoy these blooms is fleeting. Fierro estimates that the sunflowers will remain vibrant for only another week to ten days before harvest begins due to the heat.