Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers

Planting Sunflowers

Here are some tips for planting sunflowers:

• Choose the right time: Annual sunflowers are typically planted in the spring, after the last frost date in your area. Make sure that the soil has warmed up to at least 55ºF (13ºC) before planting. If you have a short growing season, you may want to start indoors. Perennial Sunflowers can be planted in the spring or fall – A spring planting will reward you with blooms at the end of the season.
• Prepare the soil: Sunflowers prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a garden fork or tiller (about 2 ft. deep (60 cm) and adding compost or aged manure to the planting area.
• Plant the seeds: Sunflowers can be planted directly in the garden or started indoors and transplanted later. To plant directly in the garden, make a hole that is about 1 inch deep (2.5 cm), drop in a seed, and cover with soil.
• Space the plants: Sunflowers need plenty of space to grow, so make sure to plant them at least 12-18 inches apart, ), depending on the ultimate size of the plant. Larger varieties may need even more space. Perennial Sunflowers will spread out by rhizomes. Space them at least 2-3 ft. apart (60-90 cm) so they have space to grow.
• Succession Planting: To enjoy continuous blooms from your annual Sunflowers, plant seeds every two weeks in succession from spring to early summer.

Sunflower Care

Here are some tips for caring for sunflowers:

• Watering: Sunflowers need regular watering to establish a strong root system. Water deeply once a week or more frequently in hot, dry weather. Avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot and other issues. Once established, they can tolerate some drought.
• Fertilizing: Sunflowers do not need a lot of fertilizer, and over-fertilizing can actually be harmful to the plant. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring can help to promote growth. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flower production.
• Supporting: Tall sunflower varieties may need support to prevent them from falling over. Bamboo stakes will help support the stem and prevent them from breaking under the weight of the flower heads. Alternatively, plant them near a fence or wall for support.
• Deadheading: Removing spent flowers can help to promote continued blooming and prevent the plant from putting energy into producing seeds. Simply snip off the spent flower with a pair of pruners or scissors.
• Weeds: Keep weeds under control during the growing season.
• Mulch: Add mulch to help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures.
• Division: Divide Perennial Sunflowers every 2-3 years.

By following these simple care tips, you can help your sunflowers to grow strong and healthy and enjoy their cheerful blooms all season long!

Harvesting Sunflowers

Sunflowers can be harvested for their seeds, which can be eaten raw or roasted. Here are some tips for harvesting sunflower seeds:

• Wait for the sunflower head to dry: Sunflower heads should be allowed to dry on the plant for several weeks before harvesting. The back of the head will turn brown, and the seeds will become plump and mature.
• Cut off the sunflower head: Use a pair of pruners or scissors to cut off the sunflower head, leaving a few inches of stem attached.
• Remove the seeds: Rub the seeds off the head with your fingers or a stiff brush. Some people like to soak the seeds in water overnight before rubbing them off, as this can make them easier to remove.
• Rinse the seeds: Once they have been removed from the head, rinse them in a strainer under running water to remove any remaining plant material or debris.
• Dry the seeds: Spread them out on a baking sheet or other flat surface and allow them to dry completely before storing them. This can take several days, depending on the humidity in your area.
• Store the seeds: Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can be eaten raw or roasted and make a tasty and nutritious snack!

By following these simple steps, you can harvest your sunflowers and enjoy the tasty seeds all year long.

Good and Bad Companion Plants

Sunflowers can make great companions to a variety of plants, including:

• Chives: Chives keep aphids off sunflowers.
• Corn: Sunflowers attract hoverflies, lacewings, parasitic wasps, tachinid flies, bees, and masses of goldfinches. They also attract aphids away from the Corn onto their stalks, where minor damage can be done.
• Cucumber: Cucumbers can benefit from trellises or stakes for support. Use sunflower stalks as natural trellises to reduce disease and improve air circulation.
• Cosmos: Cosmos attract butterflies and other pollinators, and their tall, airy growth habit can complement the bold, sturdy appearance of sunflowers.
• Eggplant: Sunflowers will deter aphids, white flies, flea beetles, and ants while adding beauty to your garden.
• Lettuce: They appreciate being in the shade of sunflowers.
• Marigolds: Marigolds can help to repel pests and attract beneficial insects to the garden, making them a great companion to sunflowers.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums can also help to repel pests and attract beneficial insects, and they can also serve as a trap crop, luring pests away from the sunflowers.
• Onions: Onions are great at keeping certain pests away. Their smell also might deter rabbits and squirrels.
• Lavender: Both lavender and sunflowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By planting them together, you can help to create a habitat that supports a diverse range of pollinators. In addition, the bold, bright appearance of sunflowers can complement the more delicate, subtle beauty of lavender. Planting them together can create a striking visual contrast that enhances the overall appearance of the garden
• Pole beans: Pole beans can use sunflowers as a trellis, and in turn, the beans can help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the sunflowers.
• Tomatoes: Sunflowers can provide some shade for tomato plants during the hottest part of the day, which can help to prevent sunscald and other heat-related damage. Sunflowers can also provide support for indeterminate tomato varieties that require staking or trellising.
• Zinnias: Zinnias attract pollinators to the garden and can also help to attract beneficial insects.
• Zucchini: Sunflowers grow tall and provide helpful shade for squash plants in hot summer areas.

While sunflowers have many great companion plants, there are a few plants that are not recommended to be planted together. These include:

• Potatoes: Potatoes and sunflowers are both susceptible to the same diseases, so planting them together can increase the risk of disease transmission.
• Walnut trees: Walnut trees release a chemical called juglone that is toxic to many plants, including sunflowers. Avoid planting sunflowers near walnut trees.

Pest and Diseases

Sunflowers can be susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for:

• Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects can be found on the undersides of leaves and stems. They suck the sap from the plant, which can cause stunted growth and yellowing leaves. Control aphids by spraying the plant with a strong stream of water or treating them with insecticidal soap.
• Caterpillars: Caterpillars can feed on the leaves and flowers of sunflowers, causing damage to the plant. Control caterpillars by picking them off by hand or treating them with an appropriate insecticide.
• Sunflower rust: This fungal disease appears as yellow-orange pustules on the leaves and stems of the plant. It can cause leaves to yellow and drop prematurely and can weaken the plant overall. Control sunflower rust by removing infected plant material and treating it with a fungicide if necessary.
• Verticillium wilt: This fungal disease can cause wilting, yellowing leaves, and eventual death of the plant. Control verticillium wilt by removing infected plant material and treating it with a fungicide if necessary.
• Downy mildew: The disease Is characterized by the presence of white or grayish mold on the undersides of leaves. The mold may also be accompanied by yellow spots or streaks on the upper surfaces of leaves, as well as stunted growth and premature wilting. Remove any infected plant material from the garden and dispose of it properly.  Provide good air circulation. If downy mildew is present, fungicides may be necessary to control the disease.
• Powdery mildew: Sunflowers can be susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that can affect many types of plants. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a powdery white or gray coating on the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plant. Same treatment as for downy mildew.
• Mice and birds: These pests can damage sunflower seeds as they begin to mature and may even eat the entire head. Protect sunflower heads by covering them with a mesh bag or pantyhose or by hanging aluminum pie pans around the planting area to deter birds.
• Deer: Deer may feed on sunflowers, especially when other food sources are scarce. Fences or netting can be effective in keeping deer away from your sunflowers. Make sure the barrier is tall enough and secure enough to keep deer out. Deer repellents, such as sprays or granules, can be effective in deterring deer from feeding on sunflowers.

By monitoring your sunflowers regularly for signs of pests and diseases and taking prompt action to control any problems that arise, you can help to keep your plants healthy and productive throughout the growing season.