Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P              

(Best months for growing Sunflower in USA - Zone 7a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

19 Aug 11, florence (Australia - arid climate)
Hello, I m going to grow some nice sunflowers which are called sunfola (the one used for the oil which has edible seeds)... I know that is not the same but if your client is really ''on'' the sunflower idea, perhaps could he just send seeds? This is just the time to saw them (because we are just coming out the winter in here!) ... sorry :) I buy my seeds at EDEN SEEDS in Australia-. They is the mammoth (big one, over 300mm), the yellow empress, (with a large sized head)and the giant russian. GOod luck!! French living in Qld- Australia.
19 Jan 20, Bee (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Sunshine Coast qld; popped a sunflower seed in the Dirt (NOT bought soil) in september 2019. Kept the ground watered untill its green stem was 30cm tall then I let it on it’s own. By December it was 120 cm tall with one huge flower. This month January 2020 the flower started to droop and lose petals and around 300 to 400 seeds where produced in the face of the seed. Considering the dry conditions in aus this summer and my lack of watering I thought this was impressive.
12 Sep 11, justine (Australia - temperate climate)
Why cant you plant sunflower with potato
28 Feb 12, Aleise (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi my science teacher has entered the class in a sunflower comp do you have any tips for me to make it grow big! Thankyou
03 May 12, Robert Goyette (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I grow potted sun flower seedlings in a glass cage,with a glass top to protect from rain and wind I eventually take the glass top off and just have the glass sides, That way the wind does not blow the plant over. Robert
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
02 Mar 13, Charmaine (Australia - temperate climate)
Roberto may I have some seeds too? Plz email me [email protected]
05 Nov 14, Sheryl (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Robert Could you tell me what variety of Sunflower you planted. I am looking to plant sunflowers to harvest the seeds for my chickens & of course their delightful presence in the garden Cheers Sheryl
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
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.
Showing 11 - 20 of 173 comments

I planted sunflower seeds today. Hoping to get blooms by mid August. Do you think this will happen? Or not enough time?

- Cristal Chacon

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