My daughter The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird has been planting sunflowers ever since she could walk. I’m not sure who loves them more, her or the birds that come along at the end of each summer and peck at the seeds. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are great for summertime bouquets too.
Brief description: Sunflowers are annual flowers with beautiful bright flowers, usually yellow, red, or orange. They are great for attracting bees, birds, and butterflies to your garden.
Where to Plant Sunflowers: Plant in a sunny location in raised beds, garden beds, and/or containers {depending on the variety}.
Planting Seeds: Plant 1/2″-1″ deep about 1-2 weeks after last frost. When seedlings are 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″.
Growing Tips: Sunflowers love hot weather. They are extremely hardy.
How to Harvest: To harvest cut flowers as needed and place into water. To harvest sunflower seeds, allow the flower heads to dry out and lightly rub the head to reveal the seeds.
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
Gardening books hold kind of a special place in my heart. I wouldn’t be the gardener I am today {or maybe not a gardener at all} if it weren’t for a few gardening books I picked up years ago. I spent almost the entire winter of 2008/2009 reading up on gardening. I found some incredible reads that taught me so much and made me realize how much I didn’t know. So I’ve never stopped reading gardening books.
Here are just a few of my favorites, although if we’re being honest, narrowing this list down was virtually impossible. Gardening books are right up there with the bible {okay, not quite, but you get the idea!}.
My Favorite Garden Books:
- Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting
- The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
- Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
- Sugar Snaps and Strawberries
- The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
- The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook
Jen L A says
Mavis,
Do you have a preferred or recommended way to dry the sunflower heads to gather seeds? I have tried several times and mine always seem to mold before seeds are ready to harvest. I have tried a few ways with no luck! We decided to try again and the seeds went in the ground today ……would appreciate any tips! Thanks!
On another note…your garden inspires! Thanks for rocking and growing!
Mavis says
Hi Jen, I’ll write up a post on this! I think others would like to know too. Give me a day or two.
Jen L A says
Thank you! Hubby will be so happy if I can get it right this year!
cyndi says
I think i cut my sunflowers to soon…will they dry out by hanging upside down?
Mavis Butterfield says
Here is a great tutorial –> http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-dry-sunflower-seeds/
Ann Glenn says
I love sunflowers but how do you keep the critters from eating the young plants?