It’s officially sunflower season. Here are spots near Kansas City to see the blooms

The sunflowers are in bloom this. That means that farms and fields are welcoming folks to come frolic and explore the natural wonder of the big bright beauties as fall sets in.

There are a number of places around Kansas City welcoming visitors and photos with the flowers that go on for acres. Most of the fields are located on farms that also plant other crops or specialize in other things in addition to the sunflower fields.

Each year the giant flowers first bloom in late August, and continue into September in the Sunflower State, and also in Missouri.

The Star’s guide for visiting a sunflower farm includes a few tips to make sure you maximize your time visiting the fields, including.

• Try to go in the morning to get the best pictures with the sunflowers.

• Read and follow all the rules set by the growers.

• Make sure to check out other attractions available at the location you end up visiting.

Here’s where you can visit a ray of sunshine around Kansas City.

Grinter Sunflower Farms

24154 Stillwell Road, Lawrence

Sunflowers are already in bloom at the Grinter Sunflower Farm. Admission is free, but there is a donation box. There is also a local goods and bake shop called Sunflower General, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Grinter is known to be pretty popular, so be mindful of traffic. The farm recommends that visitors come during the daytime on a week day to enjoy your experience. You can also take a flower home for $1 per bloom.

Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins

17701 Holmes Road, Belton

816-331-1067

Johnson Farms Plants and Pumpkins has been offering sunflowers for people to pick for 21 years. The 140 acre farm is in Belton, just south of Kansas City. The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and single day admission costs $13.99.

Berry Hill UPick Farm Sunflowers

5840 SE Croco Road, Berryton, Kansas

785-633-7374

Berry Hill’s Sunflowers are now available for perusing. The farm has two sunflower fields, and patrons can take a flower home for $1 per flower. It is free to view the flowers or snap a few selfies, but there is a donation box near the parking lot if you would like to show even more support. The fields are open everyday from sunrise to sunset.

Berry Hill UPick Farm is an hour west of Kansas City.

Britt’s Garden Acres

1000 S Scenic Drive, Manhattan, Kansas

785-539-1901

Britt’s Garden Acres sunflowers will start blooming on the first weekend of September. Aside from sunflower patches, the farm boasts 250 acres of fruits and vegetables. So, once you’re done with your sunflowers, you can take your crew to pick strawberries or blackberries. The sunflower fields cost $5 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fields will be open starting Labor Day.

Britt’s Garden Acres is two hours west of Kansas City.

Arkenberg Farms

645 Southeast Tecumseh Road, Tecumseh, Kansas

785-969-3346

Sunflower fields are open from 10 a.m. to dusk at Arkenberg Farms. It will cost $5 for each car to park and $1 for each sunflower taken home. There is no professional photography allowed, and no pets are allowed on the farm. On Saturdays, you can also come to the farm and pick other flowers and vegetables from 8 a.m. until noon.

Arkenberg Farms is about an hour west of Kansas City.

A & H Farm

1374 Collins Lane, Manhattan, Kansas

785-341-7794

A & H Farm has officially opened its sunflower patch for the season. The sunflowers will be available for selfies and strolls from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $14.99 per person but children under 2 years old will get in for free.

Dailey Farms Pumpkin Patch

19881 K16 Highway, McLouth, Kansas

785-331-7023

Starting in October, the Dailey Farms Pumpkin Patch will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Their sunflower patch cost $2 per person to enjoy.

Gieringer’s Family Orchard and Berry Farm

39345 W. 183rd St., Edgerton

913-893-9626

Gieringer’s Family Orchard and Berry Farm’s sunflower patches are weather dependent. The next patch will be in bloom from the last week of September to the second week of October. You can check out the farm’s Facebook page for updates and details. There are also lots of apple varieties available for picking on the farm at this time.