Sunflower is a strong, easy-to-grow annual plant. They will brighten up any garden with their eye-catching crowns and petals. Sunflowers can grow anywhere, ranging from 2 to 15 feet tall depending on the species, and their seeds can be harvested and eaten as a delicious treat. Follow the instructions below to learn how to grow, maintain and harvest sunflowers.
How to choose seeds for planting sunflowers is part of a series of tutorials on growing sunflowers. The tutorial also includes preparing your garden, planting sunflower seeds, and caring for sunflowers. Want to know how to choose seeds for planting sunflowers? For seeds, follow this illustrated tutorial on growing sunflowers from the Production Department.
How to choose seeds for planting sunflowers
1Use your hands, or use a shovel to loosen the soil. You want the soil to be soft when you sow your sunflower seeds. 
2Dig holes one foot deep and spaced 6 to 18 feet apart, depending on the size of the species. You can simply dig three small holes with your hands. If planting in rows, be sure to space each row approximately 30 feet apart. Sunflowers need a lot of space to grow healthily. - For large sunflowers, leave 18 feet between seeds.
- For medium-sized sunflower species, leave 12 feet between seeds.
3Put one in each holesome seeds and cover them with soil. You can stagger your plantings over several weeks to enjoy blooms at different times during the summer. Since sunflowers are annuals, meaning they bloom once a year, staggering your seeds will allow you to see blooms over a longer period of time. 
4After planting the seeds, cover them with a thin layer of fertilizer. If possible, choose organic fertilizer and spread it over the planting area to help the flower paths grow stronger. You can also mix in 3 to 4 feet of mulch to keep the ground hydrated and prevent the soil from becoming soggy. 
5Water well after planting and fertilizing. Make sure you moisten the soil, but don't let it get soggy or swamp the seeds.
DIY Tips
- It’s best to let sunflowers grow where you plant them. Relocation is not suitable for sunflowers.
- If you don’t have enough space it’s better to plant fewer sunflowers, as each plant will be less strong if they are forced to compete for nutrients.
- Remember that sunflowers can grow very tall and block sunlight from other plants if you are not careful. Sunflowers always point in the direction the sun rises, so take this into consideration when planting.
- Soil type is not much of an issue for sunflowers. Well-drained soil with lots of mud, fertilizer, or a mixture will help them grow tall and strong.
- If pesky birds come to peck at the seeds, place a polygonal garden flannel on top of the sunflower to prevent the seeds from being eaten by birds.
- Keep the area around sunflowers free of weeds, and do not use chemicals or sow grass seeds near them.
Notes
- Deer love sunflowers. Be sure to plant it in a protected area where they can't eat it.
- Sunflowers don’t like cold weather! Avoid frosty weather and wait for warmer weather before planting.
- As soon as the seeds are sown, there may be birdsGo peck. Place netting over the sowing area to prevent birds from eating the seeds.
Growing sunflowers
How to grow your own sunflowers. Illustrated tutorial on growing sunflowers
How to care for sunflowers. Picture tutorial of planting sunflowers
