The Complete Guide to Sunflower Care 

Planting Sunflower Seeds

Make sure to select a sunflower seed variety that suits your needs before you plant them. You should choose a kind of sunflower that generates more seeds if you intend to collect the seeds.

Sunlight

Sunflowers are heat and drought hardy and do well in warm areas. They thrive with six to eight hours of sunlight each day and grow best in direct sunlight. They are more prone to bloom in warmer temperatures. Make careful to place your seeds in an area with lots of direct sunshine.

Soil

Sunflowers thrive in soil that drains well and is not susceptible to waterlogging. Moreover, the soil needs to be loose to allow for the roots' deep and outward growth. This tall bloom will have a weak foundation and a difficult time withstanding any high winds if the taproots can't develop properly.

When to plant sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds should be planted outside two weeks prior to the anticipated last frost date. Although they may withstand some cold, if you plant them too soon, they will freeze and cease to grow. You can plant sunflower seeds between 5 and 7 week before the last anticipated frost if you're starting the plant indoors..

How to plant sunflowers

When planting your sunflower seeds, create a hole that’s 1 inch to 2 inches deep. How you plant your seeds will depend on how large the flower is. If you have smaller, bouquet-sized blooms, plant the seeds 6 inches apart from each other. If you are planting a larger variety, plant them about a foot apart.

Watering

Sunflowers need to be watered frequently despite their ability to withstand heat and drought. The root zone, which is Three inches away from the stem, has to be hydrated as the plant grows. Daily watering is necessary to keep sunflower seedlings' soil wet but not waterlogged.

Pests and diseases

 a high wire fence or barrier around the garden to keep deer out. The soil is obviously too wet if the leaves on your sunflowers start to yellow and shrink.

Securing large plants

Some larger or multi-branched types of sunflowers could require assistance to stand upright. Tie your sunflowers to a stake or other strong support if they begin to sag. Moreover, plants in windy environments require this.