Growing Sunflowers Is Simple and Fun ~ Caring for Creation

What do Sunflowers need to grow?

Sunflowers need plenty of Sunshine, at least 6 to 8 hours of Sunlight per day!  As you know, Sunflowers are heliotropic which means the blossom follows the path of the Sun from east to west every day.  Then, at night, the blossom or head of the plant rotates back do it is facing the rising Sun next morning.  Sunflowers definitely need access to sunlight most of the day. 

And, they will also need water and fertilizer. 

Sunflowers have extensive root systems that help them reach the soil nutrients they need.  They prefer well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 to 7.0, like clay loam and silty clay soils.  You can test your soil to find out the pH level and whether you need to add nutrients before planting the seeds.  However, if you can see organic material in your soil, you can plant the Sunflower seeds without testing.

Once the second set of leaves appears, use a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer that you would apply directly to the plants.  This will speed up growth and produce larger flowers.  Sunflowers will also benefit from applying half the recommended amount of nitrogen during planting and the second half later in the growing season.  This is known as a split application of fertilizer.

You can begin planting Sunflower seeds directly in the ground after the last frost.  Sometimes the weather surprises us by having a very late frost.  But, get your seeds in the ground when you think you have had the last frost.  Trying to out-guess the weather is usually not very productive and can be frustrating!

You can sow the seeds directly into the soil.  Just poke a hole with your finger, drop in 2 seeds (in case one doesn’t germinate), and cover the hole.  You are done.  Then thin to one plant per hole if both seeds germinate.

Spacing is important.

For single stem Sunflowers, plants should be spread 4-9” apart.  Remember, the closer the plants are spaced, the smaller the blooms.  Closer is better if you are growing the blossoms for bouquets.  Plants spaced farther apart will produce larger blooms.

For branching Sunflowers, plants should be placed 12”-24” apart.  Usually 18” spacing works well. 

There are so many different sizes, shapes, and colors of Sunflowers that it is often difficult to make a choice.  Some will grow as tall as 6’ to 10’!  These will need some kind of support.  The taller ones can be grown along a tall fence or wall, using chicken wire for support.  Shorter Sunflowers usually have strong stems that can support their blossoms. 

 If you want to use some of the blossoms indoors in a flower arrangement, be sure to cut them off the stem before the flower petals open.  They will still blossom, and the blossom will last longer this way.

If you do use most of the blossoms in flower arrangements, be sure to leave at least 10% of the blooms on their stems.  They will open, begin to produce pollen, and then seeds.

Bees love the pollen!  Birds and other creatures love the seeds!  And, you can harvest some of the seeds for next year’s crop!  You can also save seeds to feed Birds, Chipmunks, and Squirrels during winter.  A well-tended Sunflower patch or field will produce hundreds of highly nutritious seeds!

There are so many varieties of Sunflowers, in so many sizes and colors.  Sunflowers are native to the United States, as well as Europe.  Before Ukraine was invaded by Russia, they were one of the main producers of Sunflowers in Europe!  In Europe, Sunflowers are used mainly for their oil.

Here are some examples of Sunflowers.  Have a Wonderful time selecting and growing Sunflowers.  Remember, they are easy to grow as long as they have lots of Sunshine as well as enough water and nutrients!

Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, breathing practices, 

and the HeartMath program for Building Personal Resilience.  

She loves gardening and meditating with Trees!