Grow Sunflowers
Sunflowers are sun worshipers that grow best in spots that get six to eight hours of direct sun per day.
Grow sunflowers. Sunflowers that are grown specifically for their seeds are annuals and there are a range of colors available including light lemon yellow bright yellow pink burgundy and. Home gardeners usually plant annual sunflowers including dwarf and tall varieties that feature several branches and grow multiple blooms which are ideal for cutting. See individual seed packets for details. How to grow sunflowers.
This can be handy if you have a short growing season like we do in here in vermont. The worst companion plant for sunflowers is potatoes. They have long tap roots that need to go several feet into the ground so sunflower plants prefer loose well drained somewhat alkaline soil with a ph of 60 to 75. How to harvest and store sunflowers.
Before you grow sunflowers find a plot that gets full sun is sheltered from the wind and has good drainage. When first true leaves appear the second set of leaves. Thin plants to about 2 feet apart. Harvesting and storing your sunflowers and seeds is a simple process.
Generally sunflower seeds are started directly in the garden. Sunflowers helianthus annuus is an annual plant with a large daisy like flower faceits scientific name comes from the greek words helios sun and anthos flowerthe flowers come in many colors yellow red orange maroon brown but they are commonly bright yellow with brown centers that ripen into heavy heads filled with seeds. Sunflowers like to grow in full sun in well drained soil. Sunflowers are not picky when it comes to soil and are even drought tolerant but they will not tolerate soil with standing waterfor maximum growth pick a sandy well draining soil to grow sunflowers.
Sunflowers are mainly sown from mid april to the end of may. Cover and keep watered until seeds sprout in 7 to 10 days. Plant your seeds at the beginning of summer when the soil is warm. Sunflowers are perfect for growing as part of a race with friends family and neighbours to see who can grow the tallest sun flower.
They are an annual plant and will flower in august. Growing sunflowers from seed. Theyre also ideal for growing with children who love growing plants taller than them. Space seeds about 6 inches apart in a shallow trench between 1 and 2 inches deep.
In sandy soil 2 inches deep is better. When you plant sunflowers and potatoes near one another they will work against each other and cause stunted growth. Choose a packet of sunflower seeds remember to look to see how tall.