Sunflowers

Sunflowers are really a fun flower to grow in the garden and they come in different colors of yellows, dark reds and orange. Spring is the time to plant them but you really don’t start thinking about adding them to your garden until you see them sprouting up in the summer. My kids and I have always started our plan for the spring garden in the middle of summer, like now, when we see everything we want.

This morning we were surrounded by amazing sunflowers, which you can see in today’s "Growing Enthusiasm” episode. I immediately went shopping to see what seeds are available and added them to our “garden wish list” for spring planting.

There are different varieties to choose from of sunflower such as an ‘American Giant’ or ‘Mammoth’ that can grow up to 12 feet tall. Or smaller versions like ‘Teddy Bear’ or ‘Lemon Queen’ that grow 3 to 5 feet tall. I definitely recommend the dwarf versions because they are more kid-sized and grow faster!

Sunflowers need to grow in full sun in well-drained soil.

When to grow:
See individual seed packets for details.
Sunflowers are mainly sown from mid-April to the end of May. They are an annual plant and will flower in July/August.

What you need:
• Choose a packet of sunflower seeds – remember to look to see how tall it might grow
• Gardening gloves
• A rake
• A trowel
• Plant label and pencil

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How to grow
1. Sunflowers can be sown straight in to the ground where they are going to flower, so make sure the space you are going to sow is weed free, by using a trowel to remove the weeds. They do really well in big pots or against back walls.
2. Rake the soil to a crumbly texture. Be sure to leave the right amount of space between each plant.

3. Place the seed in carefully and cover them up with soil. Don’t forget to water the seeds gently. As they grow, if the plants are crowded, then thin them out leaving the strongest, tallest plants.
4. Be careful, as slugs and snails like to eat the new shoots. You may want to protect the seedlings by cutting the top off a plastic bottle and placing it over your seedlings.
5. As your sunflower begins to grow taller than you, you will need to help support the stem. You can use a stick near the stem, tied loosely with string.
6. Watch your sunflower grow and grow and grow.​

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