Sunflowers are very easy to grow

Gardening sunflowers can be an enjoyable hobby for the whole family. Sunflowers are very easy to grow, and you can plant your seeds in the fall and watch them come to life in spring. But before you start planting, there are a few things you need to know about these beautiful flowers.

Watering

Having a healthy sunflower means making sure you’re watering it properly. You can do this in two ways: through the stem or directly into the roots.

The best way to do this is to give the plants a good daily watering. Watering them in the morning before the sun rises will allow the water to soak into the roots.

The roots of a sunflower grow deep into the ground. It’s important to keep the soil moist but not wet. Otherwise, the plant’s roots will become rotten and weak.

Sunflowers also attract a variety of insects. If you’re watering your sunflowers, you may want to consider adding nasturtiums or chives to keep the insects away.

Slugs are another pest to be wary of. They can easily eat your baby sunflowers, so use a slug pellet to help you control them. There are also mice, which can eat young sunflowers and kill them.

Aphids are another common insect to be afraid of. Their larvae can damage the leaves of your sunflowers. If you have aphids, you can treat them with soapy water.

Other bugs like the beetle, moth and borer can also attack your sunflower. These can be treated with an organic insecticide.

Another problem to watch out for is powdery mildew. This is a white powdery substance that appears on the leaves. Often, this is caused by overwatering and can affect your entire plant.

The best time to water sunflowers is in the morning before the sun gets too hot. After a watering session, leave the soil dry for a few hours.

When it comes to weather, sunflowers can be very sensitive to heat. Too much heat can make the flower petals and stalks wilt.

Proper spacing

When you’re planting sunflowers, you can follow some general guidelines to ensure your plants get the right amount of sunlight and spacing. The spacing required depends on the type of sunflower you are growing.

Tall varieties need at least a two-foot space, while dwarf varieties require a smaller one. Shorter types will grow well with as little as six inches. Sunflowers should be planted with the flower heads spaced at least 12 inches apart.

Sunflowers are heavy feeders. They require supplemental water and nutrient-rich soil. In addition, they are more sensitive to drought than other plants. A 3-inch layer of compost will help lighten the soil, improving drainage.

Before you plant, you should remove all weeds and loosen the soil. If you’re planning to use a raised bed, plant the sunflowers in the center. You may also consider staking the plant. This will keep the plant from drooping over during storms.

Once the seedlings have grown several inches, you can transplant them to larger containers. Until then, you should keep the seeds moist. After sprouting, cover the seeds with a row cover to protect them from hungry birds.

When the sunflowers are a few feet tall, you can mulch them to retain moisture and prevent disease. The amount of mulch you will need will depend on the variety of sunflowers you are growing.

The best time to plant sunflowers is early in the spring. Ideally, you’ll want to plant them at least 100 days before the first frost. However, some varieties can continue to grow through the fall.

You can plant sunflowers in a narrow rectangular border against a fence or building. Alternatively, you can plant them in a row.

Feeding

Sunflowers are an excellent source of fuel for wild animals in the winter. They can also be used as cut flowers or as bird feeders. You can start your seeds indoors and plant them outside in the spring. This gives them a chance to grow before the weather gets cold.

Sunflowers require a good deal of water. Their root system is extensive and can quickly drain the soil of nutrients. To ensure their long-term health, you should feed them weekly.

You can use a water soluble all purpose plant food like Miracle-Gro to boost the growth of your sunflowers. A potassium-rich feed will encourage big, beautiful blooms.

Taller varieties of sunflowers may require staking. If your sunflowers are grown in containers, use a well-rotted manure or compost to improve the soil.

For the best results, planting the seeds at the proper depth is important. Plant them no more than an inch deep.

Using a soil probe to measure moisture can help. Sunflowers need about 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Water deeply and regularly, especially if your area has a drought. Deep watering encourages deep roots, which reduces the likelihood of the sunflowers falling over.

When the flowers begin to fade, you can replant them. The seed heads of the sunflower are full of seeds. These seeds can be roasted or eaten raw. Birds and squirrels are the main pests of sunflowers.

To keep the birds away, you can cover the head of the sunflower with a thick barrier. A mesh bag, old pantyhose, or polyspun garden fleece can work well.

As you start gardening sunflowers, protect the seed heads from birds and other critters. One effective way is to use ground cayenne pepper to deter squirrels.

Protecting from squirrels and chipmunks

There are many different ways to protect sunflowers from squirrels. The first step is to seal off the access to the garden. After that, it’s up to you to make your garden more unappealing to these pesky creatures.

Squirrels can be very damaging to sunflowers, so you should take extra precautions. Chipmunks are also a threat to your plants, so you must prevent them from entering your garden.

You can use hardware cloth to block off any entrances around electrical cables, gas lines, or any other structure you don’t want chipmunks to enter. In addition, you can set up mesh waste baskets to keep slugs from getting to your seedlings.

Sunflowers are a favorite food for squirrels. They will eat seeds, nuts, and berries. If you find the head of a sunflower has been chewed off, you may try tying a piece of cheesecloth around it.

Peppermint oil is another good deterrent. You can also spray the flower with hot sauce or apple cider vinegar. While these repellents are effective, they’re not always as effective as other options.

If you plan to plant sunflowers, consider planting them at the garden center. Many varieties of these flowers are hardy and do well in drought conditions. Ensure your soil is well-draining and your seedlings have water and light.

You can also build a cloche or fence around the perimeter of your sunflowers. This will keep birds and squirrels from digging up your seeds. However, if you do decide to do this, remember to test the perimeter of the cloche or fence before putting it in place.

Chipmunks are small ground-dwelling squirrels. They can be cute and cuddly, but they can also be destructive.

Harvesting the seeds

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, calcium and phosphorus. They can be harvested for use immediately, or saved for planting next year.

The process of harvesting sunflower seeds involves the following steps. Firstly, the plant’s flower head should be cut away from the stalk. This is done to protect the seed from insects and birds.

Next, the flower head should be wrapped in a paper bag to help prevent birds from getting a hold of it. After the head is covered, the seeds should be left to dry.

If you want to get a bit more fancy, you can also hang the flower head in a warm, dry room. Once it is completely dried, it should be placed in an airtight container.

One good way to remove the seed from the flower head is to gently rub it between your fingers. If you can’t manage this, you can remove the seed by using tongs.

Another way to get the seed out of the flower head is to crush it with a rolling pin. You can also rinse the seeds in a sieve.

There are also many methods for protecting the seed. Some gardeners leave the seeds to dry on the stem, while others let the seed casing fall off naturally.

You should make sure to keep the seed heads dry, or else the birdies and chipmunks will try to eat them. A paper bag can be tied around the seedhead to discourage crows and squirrels.

When harvesting the seeds of sunflowers, you should keep the head out of the sun to reduce rot and moisture damage. Be sure to check the heads daily.