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Planting Sunflowers Sunflowers are sun worshipers that grow best in spots that get six to eight hours of direct sun per day. They have long tap roots that need to go several feet into the ground, so sunflower plants prefer loose, well-drained, somewhat alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
What is the best month to plant sunflowers?
Plant sunflowers in late spring, once the ground is nice and warm. Most sunflowers germinate when soil has reached 70 to 85 degrees F. The best time to plant sunflowers is just before the soil reaches this temperature. Look for a ground temp of between 60 to 70 degrees.
What side of the house do you plant sunflowers?
Some varieties can grow up to 15 feet tall so make sure you find an area that can accommodate their size. Sunflowers LOVE warm climates with full sunshine during the day. If possible, plant the sunflowers on the north side of your garden. This prevents the large sunflower stalks from shading other plants in the garden.
Can sunflowers grow in pots?
Potted sunflowers may seem an unlikely endeavor, however, some of the smaller dwarf varieties do very well as container grown sunflowers, and even the giant cultivars can be grown as container plants. Growing sunflowers in a pot or planter does require some special care though.
Can you plant sunflower anywhere?
H. annuus flowers are annuals, so you can grow them just about anywhere, but they don’t like to get too cold. They prefer USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11, and they definitely want you to wait to plant them outdoors until all danger of frost has passed.
Are sunflowers easy to grow?
Growing sunflower plants is easy because they’re heat tolerant, pest resistant and fast growing. They’re native to North America so they can adapt to conditions in most locations. You can use them for cut flowers, leave them on the stalk for a gorgeous outdoor display in your garden, or harvest and eat their seeds.
How do you grow big sunflowers in pots?
Sow seeds 4-5 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep directly into pots filled with well moistened, good quality potting mix. It takes approximately 8-10 days to germinate. When seedlings are several inches tall, transplant them to larger pots that are at least 12-18 inches deep while making sure that they are spread out.
Where should I plant sunflowers in my house?
Begin by picking out a good spot to grow sunflowers. Sunflowers grow best in full sun and prefer moist but well-drained soil. Your sunflower house can be any size or shape you want it to be, but a good start is to plant one covering an area that is 4′ x 4′.
Where should sunflowers be placed in the house?
Place the sunflowers in an area where they’re exposed to at least six hours of full sunlight per day – an east or south-facing window is ideal. If needed, place the pots outside on a sunny patio or balcony, or expose them to fluorescent full spectrum lights.
Can morning glories be planted with sunflowers?
Between each, plant two or three morning glory seeds, following depth directions on the package. Cover the seeds and water. When sunflower seedlings reach about 6 inches, thin to about a foot apart. They will quickly grow into the frame of a house, with the morning glories twining upward around the stalks.
Can sunflowers grow in shade?
Rich soil is important, when growing giant varieties. Contrary to it’s name, we found they will tolerate some shade as we put them against an east wall of our house every year. However, they will grow their best in full sun. Deep roots help sunflowers to withstand most droughts.
When can I plant sunflowers outside?
When to plant sunflower seeds Sow sunflower seeds from April to May, individually in 10cm pots of peat-free, multi-purpose compost. Plant out into the garden when all risk of frost has passed, from early June.
When can you move sunflowers outside?
Once your plants have reached 30cm (12 inches) in height, you can plant them in the garden or move them to a bigger pot. Don’t do this any earlier than May to avoid them being damaged by any late frosts.
What should sunflowers not be planted with?
Allelopathic Interaction Sunflower seeds have what’s called an allelopathic chemical — one that inhibits the growth of plants in the area. On the other, it can weaken the growth of the plants you do want. Beans and potatoes are especially susceptible to this chemical and cannot be planted near sunflowers.
Can sunflowers be transplanted?
Do Sunflowers Transplant Well? Put sunflowers in their permanent location when planting. Due to their taproot, moving plants is not advisable. It is nearly impossible to move growing plants with taproots once active growth has started.
What are the easiest sunflowers to grow?
‘Pacino’ sunflower. This sunflower mix stays small — just 12 to 16 inches tall when grown in a pot, a little taller in the garden. ‘Ballad’ sunflower. ‘Double Dandy’ sunflower. ‘Red Courtesan’ sunflower. ‘Honey Bear’ sunflower. ‘Magic Roundabout’ sunflower. ‘Mammoth Gray Stripe’ sunflower.
Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?
It is recommended that you only soak most seeds for 12 to 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. After soaking your seeds, they can be planted as directed. The benefit of soaking seeds before planting is that your germination time will be reduced, which means you can have happy, growing plants faster.
Can you plant sunflowers in grass?
Situate your sunflower patch in a wind-protected area in full sun, ideally along the northern border of your lawn. Alternatively, select another sunny area where the plants will throw as little shade as possible onto the grass.
Do deer eat sunflowers?
As you already know, deer absolutely love sunflowers. They choose this plant for their protein content and love devouring the flowers and leaves. Sunflowers are also rich in phosphorous, which is yet another reason why deer prefer it.
Do sunflowers need to be staked?
While a few sunflower varieties do not need any staking, it is a good idea to support plants that grow over 3 feet tall or are multi-branched. Tie the plants loosely to stakes with lengths of cloth or other soft material as needed. Birds and squirrels can be a problem when seeds ripen and harvest time approaches.
Are sunflower roots invasive?
Perennial Sunflowers Because of the plants’ aggressive growth and broad root expansion, they can quickly become invasive, so plant them in an area of the garden where this won’t become a problem.
