Growing Sunflowers from Seeds
Starting Sunflower Seeds Inside
Sunflower seeds can be started inside a few weeks before all danger of frost has passed for your planting zone. This enables the seedlings to sprout and get a head start on the growing season. To start sunflower seeds indoors, plant seeds in potting soil in peat pots. Water thoroughly and place pots in front of a sunny window. Cover with plastic wrap or use a special mini-greenhouse to keep the moisture in with the seeds. Check daily to see if the seeds need water. If the soil or peat pots are dry, water evenly.
Transplant the Sunflower Seedlings Outdoors
After all danger of frost has gone from your planting zone, it's time to plant the sunflower seedlings outdoors. About a week before the seedlings are ready to plant, you can begin the hardening off process. This involves setting the seedlings outdoors for the daytime, gradually increasing the amount of time spent outside. On the final day, let the sunflower seedlings stay outside in their peat pots for 24 hours.
Prepare the garden soil for the sunflower seedlings by digging holes large enough to fit the individual peat pots. Loosen the soil about an inch deeper and gently place one seedling with the potting soil into the hole. Fill in the extra space with loose soil or potting soil. Water thoroughly.
Continue to water the seedlings for a few weeks. When they grow sturdier, it's time to let Mother Nature take over. The sunflower plants will only need watering if it's a dry summer with sporadic rain. Moderate to frequent rain will take care of the sunflowers water needs.
Sunflowers are a very forgiving plant. They make an excellent gardening project for beginning gardeners or children. Many people who have bad luck with other plants are able to be successful at growing sunflowers. Plant a sunflower garden this spring to enjoy beautiful sunflower blooms later in the summer!
Sources:
How to Transplant Sunflower Seedlings Outdoors
How to Start Sunflower Seeds Indoors
Published by Barb Hacker
Lucy is thrilled to be realizing her dream of freelance writing. She got her start at AC, has branched out into a few other content writing sites and has now started to expand into print media. View profile
Sunflowers for ChildrenGrowing sunflowers is an ideal way to bond with your child and teach responsibility for a living plant.- Sunflowers in the GardenChildren love them. Adults love them. We adorn our gardens with them. We attract birds and other wildlife with them. We enjoy eating their seeds and cooking with their oil. Sunflowers are some of the easiest and most...
- How to Start Plants from SeedsMany home gardeners have begun growing their own seedling plants. This requires patience and day-to-day care.
Growing Plants From SeedsSeeds are my dirty little secret- DIY Beginner's Guide to Growing AnnualsA beginning gardener's guide to growing annuals.
- How to Plant and Grow Beautiful Sunflowers
- Sunflowers Have Impressive Flowers and Tasty Seeds
- How to Extend Your Sunflower Growing Season
- Plant a Children's Garden This Spring
- Make Money Growing Sunflowers
- Growing Sunflowers
- Gardening: Growing Plants from Seed
- Start sunflower seeds indoors a few weeks before all danger of a frost has gone.
- Before transplanting sunflower seedlings outdoors, acclimate the plants to the outdoor environment,
- Beginning gardeners can grow sunflowers.
1 Comments
Post a CommentMy favorite flower! I plant tons and tons each year & love to watch them grow. Great article!!!