How To Grow, Care, And Harvest For Sunflowers - Gardening Tips

00:11 Sunflowers are easy-to-grow annuals that have large, dramatic heads and petals.

00:33 Choose a variety of sunflower that fits your garden needs. Popular varieties include mammoth sunflowers, bronze and mahogany sunflowers, sunbeam sunflowers, and dwarf sunflowers.

01:37 Find a plot with full sun and sheltered from the wind. Sunflowers thrive in warm to hot climates with full sunshine during the day.

01:51 Sunflowers prefer a slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, but they can grow in most types of soil.

02:14 Plant sunflower seeds at the beginning of summer after the soil has completely warmed. Dig one-inch deep holes, spaced six to 18 inches apart, depending on the varietal size.

02:45 Mix a thin layer of fertilizer after planting the seeds to promote strong stalks.

03:02 Water the plants thoroughly once or twice a week, giving them infrequent, heavy watering.

03:14 Once the seedlings are tall enough, mulch the area with seed-free straw or other mulch to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

03:30 Stake the plants with wood or bamboo stakes if necessary to support the weight of the plant, especially in windy areas.

03:43 Keep an eye out for pests like small worms and remove them. Cut flowers for display by cutting the stalk at an angle in the morning before the flower fully opens.

04:09 Harvest sunflower seeds at the end of the season. Let the flower dry until the back of the head turns brown, the foliage turns yellow, the petals die down, and the seeds look plump and somewhat loose. Cut the head off the plant and collect the loose seeds.