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Growing Sunflower

(helianthus annuus)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P             P P P P P

(Best months for planting Sunflower in Australia - temperate regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with: Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing with: Potatoes
  • Young plants

Your comments and tips

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16 Jan 10, Celina (Australia - temperate climate)
We planted sunflowers in late January last year and they still came up, our first crop has just finished and we are about to plant some more, one head will give you about 500 seeds so dont buy any more 3kg bags for the birds if you have planted in 10 plants, to stop the bird put a paper bag over the top of the head to collect the seed
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11 Dec 09, Taryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
will they survive autum and spring i know they won't survive winter and they will survive summer but what about autum and springe!
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11 Dec 09, Taryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
peoplez don't plant the sunflower withs no shell plant the black ones (NO white ones!!!)
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17 Sep 09, helen (Australia - temperate climate)
I've heard of people putting an old stocking (nylon type) over sunflower seed heads to deter birds etc from eating the seeds (while they dry on the plant). Not sure if it works. Worth a try I spose.
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09 Sep 09, Beth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
This is website give me lots of ideas to help me with planting sunflowers seeds So thanks a lot!
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26 Aug 09, ian robertson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello all, i am a high school teacher at urrbrae ag hs down in adelaide. We have a class project to grow sunflowers. I have been allocated a good size plot. I want to make sure i get the correct variety..i want to grow the sunflowers which reach up to 5-6 feet and i would like advice on growing them. we are selling them to raise money for kids cancer and we are making a short film to go with it.
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25 Feb 13, Oliver (Australia - temperate climate)
Get rid of the pot. If you want your plant to be 6 ft, a pot will not be able to support it. Use a Large recycling bucket . Not a bin, a bucket. As it nears your target height, plant a stake and tie the flower gently to it. Support the stake by stringing it to a bucket with the string only going tight when the stake falls. String from four side of the stake.
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05 Feb 13, hannah (Australia - temperate climate)
hey well i searched up sunflowers and how to grow them apparently it said that you have to have good seeding soil and sow 1.5 inches - 2.5 inches. so i hope this helped and good luck on the fundraiser
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30 Jan 13, Roberto Giorgio (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown Sunflowers this Summer Season that stand 2.14m (7 Feet) tall. Do you want me to send you some of the seeds from the tallest one so you can plant them this comming October 2013.. I had no trouble growing them. I will be harvesting the seeds soon. Regards, Roberto Giorgio Urban Farmer Holden Hill SA 5088
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02 Mar 13, Charmaine (Australia - temperate climate)
Roberto may I have some seeds too? Plz email me ccstudio@bigpond.net.au
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Hello all, i am a high school teacher at urrbrae ag hs down in adelaide. We have a class project to grow sunflowers. I have been allocated a good size plot. I want to make sure i get the correct variety..i want to grow the sunflowers which reach up to 5-6 feet and i would like advice on growing them. we are selling them to raise money for kids cancer and we are making a short film to go with it.

- ian robertson


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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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