Grow a Sunflower Garden

Tips to Grow the Best Sunflowers Ever

Jul 19, 2007 Barb Hacker

Sunflowers are generally easy to grow, but a few problems can sidetrack any gardener.

Beautiful, large sunflowers are the classic flower of late summer. They are easy to grow, but there are a few hurdles that can ruin a sunflower bed before it has a chance to flower. With a little care early on, your sunflowers can be the stunning showpieces of your late summer garden.

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunflower seeds can be sown directly in the soil after the last frost, but there are many garden critters that enjoy snacking on them. To protect your seeds, sow them in peat pots about three weeks before the last frost. Keep the pots in a sunny window and water daily. As soon as all danger of frost has passed, the seedlings can be planted in the garden.

Avoid Too-Tall Seedlings

Seedlings grown indoors can become too tall, or leggy, very fast. Ideally, the seedlings should be about two to three inches tall when they go into the ground. Seedlings that are taller than this will be weak, will not be able to stand upright, and will not survive.

Sunflowers Need Sun and Good Soil

Sunflowers need to be planted in full sun. They will not thrive in shade or partial shade. While sunflowers are forgiving about the soil they are in, it is helpful to plant them with a scoop of good quality potting soil, such as Miracle Gro Potting Soil. Loosen the soil a couple of inches deeper than the hole to make it easy for the roots to grow and expand.

Water Daily

Sunflower seedlings need daily watering once they are in the ground. If the seedlings get dried out, they will wither. When the stems on the plants thicken and become sturdy, watering frequency can decrease to every other day. Plants that are a foot or two tall can rely on regular rainfalls for their water supply. If rain is infrequent, continue to water every few days.

Keep the Weeds Away

Weeding is most important when the seedlings are still small. Sunflower seedlings can easily get over powered by fast growing weeds. Once the plants are tall and sturdy, weeding is less important, but can still be done for aesthetic purposes.

Watch for Japanese Beetles

The last hurdle to overcome is not common on sunflowers, but has been known to happen. Japanese beetles will eat the foliage and flower buds, ruining any chance of blooms. A daily check for beetles will ensure that the sunflowers continue to thrive. If any beetles are found, simply pluck them off and drop them in a jar of soapy water.

Enjoy

By mid-summer, flower buds should start to appear on the plants. The plants will continue to gain height until the sunflowers bloom a few weeks later. The stunning flowers can last for a month, after which the seeds can either be harvested or left on the plant for the birds to enjoy.

The copyright of the article Grow a Sunflower Garden in Flower Gardens is owned by Barb Hacker. Permission to republish Grow a Sunflower Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Tall, Healthy Sunflower