When do i sow sunflower seeds

Remove any weeds and cultivate or turn the soil over a bit to loosen it. Average garden soil is just fine for these tough plants. Step 3: Plant the seeds Sow the sunflower seeds directly into the garden soil. Use a trowel to dig individual holes about 1-inch-deep, or dig a trench or furrow to plant a row of seeds.

Plant the seeds about 6 to 8 inches apart for dense plantings or 12 to 15 inches apart for wider spacing this is ideal for branching sunflower varieties that produce multiple flowering branches, rather than those that produce a single flower on a tall, upright stalk. Try to dig them out carefully because if there is a decent root system intact, you can move the thinned seedlings to a new spot in the garden. The third time to plant sunflowers is in winter.

Yep, winter. Using a technique known as winter sowing to start your sunflowers is fun and simple. But intentional winter sowing allows you to control the process more carefully, ensuring you grow the varieties you love, instead of just the black oil sunflowers found in most birdseed blends. The process can take place any time during the winter.

Step 1: Prepare the jugs for planting Use the scissors to cut the top of the jug off about one-third of the way up from the bottom. Cut it almost all the way around, leaving a two-inch-wide section uncut to keep the top and bottom of the jug connected. Then, use the scissors to pierce several drainage holes into the bottom of the jug.

Step 2: Fill the bottom of the jug with soil and plant the seeds Hold the top of the jug off to the side while you fill the bottom of the jug with potting soil. Once filled, sow the seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them inches apart. Water the seeds in.

Step 3: Close the jug Use a piece of duct tape to reattach the top of the jug to the bottom. This makes a mini greenhouse to protect the seedlings. Step 4: Wait Put the jugs in a sheltered spot in the garden for the rest of the winter. When spring arrives, the seeds will sprout at exactly the right time. Water if necessary. Step 5: Transplant Around the time of your last expected spring frost or when the plants reach 2 inches in height whichever comes first , transplant the seedlings out into the garden.

Sunflower seeds grown through winter sowing are more tolerant of cold temperatures than those grown indoors. Rosemoor Devon. Wisley Surrey. Bridgewater Greater Manchester. Science research ». Environmentally friendly gardening. Plant health. Take part in our research.

Meet the team. Shop plants rhsplants. Shopping with the RHS. RHS Christmas gifts. Commercial opportunities » Exhibit at a show Advertising Corporate hospitality Licensing Corporate partnerships Venue hire. In the south, this will probably occur in mid-March or early April. Sunflowers dislike having their roots disturbed, which is why we recommend direct-sowing instead of transplanting.

Sunflowers grow best in locations with direct sunlight 6 to 8 hours per day ; they require long, hot summers to flower well. Choose a location with well-draining soil. They have long tap roots that need to stretch out; in preparing a bed, dig down 2 feet in depth and about 3 feet across. Sunflowers thrive in slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline soil pH 6.

Sunflowers are heavy feeders, so the soil needs to be nutrient-rich with organic matter or composted aged manure. Or, work in a slow release granular fertilizer 8 inches deep into your soil. If possible, plant sunflowers in a spot that is sheltered from strong winds, perhaps along a fence or near a building.

Larger varieties may become top-heavy and a strong wind can be devastating. Before planting, decide whether or not you want to grow a fun sunflower tower. If you wish, you can plant multiple seeds and thin them to the strongest contenders when the plants are six inches tall. Give plants plenty of room, especially for low-growing varieties that will branch out.

Make rows about 30 inches apart. For very small varieties, plant closer together. A light application of fertilizer mixed in at planting time will encourage strong root growth to protect them from blowing over in the wind. Experiment with plantings staggered over 5 to 6 weeks to keep enjoying continuous blooms.

If you see birds scratching around for the seeds, spread netting over the planted area until seeds germinate. See more ways to keep birds away from your garden. Check out this video to learn how to plant sunflowers:. Caring for Sunflowers While the plant is small, water around the root zone, about 3 to 4 inches from the plant. To protect the plant, it may help to put snail or slug bait around the stem.

Once the plant is established, water deeply though infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Unless the weather is exceptionally wet or dry, water once a week with several gallons of water. Feed plants only sparingly; overfertilization can cause stems to break in the fall. Tall species and cultivars require support.

Bamboo stakes are a good choice for any plant that has a strong, single stem and needs support for a short period of time. Birds and squirrels will show interest in the seeds.

If you plan to use the seeds, deter critters with barrier devices. As seed heads mature and flowers droop, you can cover each one with white polyspun garden fleece. If you have deer , keep them at bay with a tall wire barrier. Curious deer may bite the heads off of young sunflowers. Sunflowers are relatively insect-free. A small gray moth sometimes lays its eggs in the blossoms.

Pick the worms from the plants. Downy mildew , rust , and powdery mildew can also affect the plants. If fungal diseases are spotted early, spray with a general garden fungicide. Cutting Sunflowers for Bouquets For indoor bouquets, cut the main stem just before its flower bud has a chance to open to encourage side blooms. Cut stems early in the morning. Harvesting flowers during middle of the day may lead to flower wilting.

Handle sunflowers gently. The flowers should last at least a week in water at room temperature. Arrange sunflowers in tall containers that provide good support for their heavy heads, and change the water every day to keep them fresh.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds At the end of the season, harvest sunflower seeds for a tasty snack and or to replant or to feed the birds in the winter!

Let the flower dry on or off the stem until the back of the head turns brown, the foliage turns yellow, the petals die down, and the seeds look plump and somewhat loose. With sharp scissors or pruners, cut the head off the plant about 6 inches below the flower head.

Place in a container to catch loose seeds. Lie the sunflower head on a flat, clean surface and grab a bowl to hold the seeds. To remove the seeds, simply rub your hand over the seeded area and pull them off the plant or you can use a fork. Another way to remove them is to rub the head of the sunflower across an old washboard or something similar. Just grip the head and rub it across the board as if you were washing clothes. If you are going to harvest the seeds for roasting, you can cover the flowers with a light fabric such as cheesecloth and a rubber band to protect the heads from the birds.

Pollen-free variety with long flowering time Multiple flowers on each branch. Giant single. Quick growing Single, tall flowers. Sunshine Giant. Jammie Dodger. Perfect for garden display Single, double and semi-double blooms.

Solar Flash. Early flowering Compact variety. Moulin Rouge. Something a bit different with rich mahogany petals and a black centre. Velvet Queen. A perfect feature flower with beautiful red petals.

Dwarf variety Stunning red and gold flowers. Starburst Panache. Unusual Catherine wheel appearance Double golden blooms. Ginger Nut. Bright orange flower with large heads Blooms last up to 2 weeks after cutting. Extremely compact dwarf plant Up to five flowers per stem.