Safflower has been shown to effectively use carryover nitrogen from prior cropping to depths of 7 feet. Maximum yields of safflowers can be obtained when 100 to 120 lbs nitrogen per acre are available. A reliable soil test is recommended to help determine soil nutrient requirement. It also can be planted in 30-inch rows, cultivating for weed control and irrigated if desired. As a seedling, it tolerates frost to 20 degrees.
Early planting gives larger plants that are more tolerant to insect and disease damage.
Safflower seed is about the same size as barley seed and has a test weight of 42 lbs per bushel. Drill settings for safflower often correspond to settings for similar rates of barley. Later, control pests such as thrips, grasshoppers, lygus bugs and sunflower moths only if they reach extreme levels, since bees will be attracted to the crop in bloom. Extreme losses would be 20 to 30 percent bronzeheads. Root rots have been noted on fields reseeded to safflower.