Grow a Sunflower!
As I chop down and compost my remaining sunflowers, I can’t help but think about how I plan to grow them next year. I’ve grown sunflowers consistently over the past few years. My friends, family, and neighbors love to marvel at the beautiful flowers almost more than I do. They’re tall, beautiful, and bring out all of the pollinators. Each plant can yield hundreds of seeds, making more than enough to enjoy as a snack and enough seeds for next year’s crop.
Sunflowers are insanely low maintenance to grow and maintain. I typically start mine out in early Spring, when the soil is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I live in Cary, NC, putting me in Zone 8a (see the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find your zone), which means I typically plant my sunflowers in early to mid April.
How to grow
Add nutrients: To sustain their size and blooms, sunflowers need nutrient-dense soil. I add compost, cow manure to my soil before planting.
Sow seeds: I directly sow my sunflowers into the ground, typically in a raised bed or large half-barrel pot. I plant them about 4-6 inches apart.
Thin: After the seeds germinate and turn into seedlings, I thin out the weaker seedlings so that there’s about 10-12 inches between the remaining plants. I hate to waste good plants, so I’ll usually find a spot to replant what I’ve thinned. Note that sunflowers don’t love to be transplanted. I’ve found that shock will greatly reduce the size and yield of the plant.
Remove lingering shells: Sometimes the seedlings have a hard time shaking the hard shell of the seed. I go through and remove any lingering shells by hand. I’ve noticed that I have to do this for quite a few plants that have seeds with hard shells.
Add mulch or hay: After the seedlings get about a foot high, I add mulch or hay on top of the soil they’re growing in. I’ve found this does wonders for water conservation during the summer heat, while keeping out weeds.
Water: Water your plants at least every day or two. Pollinators of every variety will be drawn what you’ve grown. To help our pollinator friends, consider adding stone or marbles to a small plate and filling water right below the stones. They stones will act as a landing pad so that pollinators can drink without drowning.
Enjoy!: After a few months, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood. My sunflowers have brought more varieties of bees than I’ve ever seen. I’ve had countless hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and wasps visit as well.
Next, I’ll write a follow-up with how to harvest sunflower seeds!