Have you been considering adding a touch of sunshine to your garden at home? Besides introducing an incredible pop of color to your outdoor space, there are several other reasons why sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a great option for your garden. Read on to learn how to grow sunflowers right in your garden.
Not only are sunflowers incredibly attractive but also flexible when included in gardening schemes. They are visually appealing because of their distinctive yellow petals and height. They will light up all edges when placed in the garden, and their beauty adds a happy feeling anywhere they are grown. But that’s not all. Sunflowers are also surprisingly simple to cultivate.
Apart from the super-attractive design for your patch, sunflowers are also very practical. They help draw several garden pollinators, and they extract pollutants from the soil, such as heavy and radioactive metals via phytoextraction and phytoremediation. Meanwhile, sunflower seeds and the oil obtained from these are eaten and used in cooking; truly a useful plant!
Sunflower Cultivars
Numerous sunflower cultivars have been developed over the years; many of these are strikingly beautiful. Some of the popular cultivars are:
- American Giant
- Evening Sun
- Ring of Fire
- Dwarf Sunspot
- Giant Sungold
- Kong
- Mammoth Grey Stripe
- Red Sun
- Strawberry Blonde
- Suntastic Pink
- Torch Mexican Sunflower
- Velvet Queen
How to Grow Sunflowers in Your Home Garden
You’ll need just a few basic tools and materials to get started on this sunflower growing adventure. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sunflower Seeds: Find your favorite variety of sunflower seeds at your local nursery or garden center. Whether you like the classic, tall varieties or prefer smaller, dwarf types, you’ll have no problem finding one that suits your space and preferences.
- Garden Spade or Trowel: You will need a garden spade or a gardening trowel to plant the seeds. You will use either tool to create small indentations in the soil to plant the sunflowers.
- Quality Soil: Sunflowers require quality soil that drains well and contains plenty of organic matter. Prepare your garden bed or containers with rich soil to ensure that your sunflowers have the best possible beginning.
- Watering Can or Hose: Regular watering is crucial to sunflower growth, particularly during formation and early growth. Sunflowers are relatively high water demanders. However, avoid overwatering, as this could lead to root rot.
- Support: Depending on the kind of sunflowers you grow, you may need supports like stakes and trellises to hold the tall stems up.
- Mulch: Applying organic mulch around the sunflowers helps retain moisture, inhibit weed growth, and stabilize soil temperature. The best sunflower mulches include shredded leaves and straw.
- Fertilizers: Although they are relatively low-maintenance, you can give them a touch with a nutritionally complete fertilizer. Apply the sunflower fertilizer as directed on the package.
Selecting The Right Seeds Is Crucial!
Only select the seeds that match your preferences, for instance, mature height, size of the flower, and variation in color. The tall ‘Mammoth’ varieties are ideal for the background dramatic effect. In contrast, short dwarf varieties like ‘Teddy Bear’ suit smaller or container spaces.
On the seed packets or label, check the sunflowers’ characteristics and growing requirements. Always transact your seeds from reputable suppliers known for better quality and germination rates. From the golden yellow classic to the colorful multi-pedaled varieties, your choice of seed is crucial.
It helps set the stage for a fulfilling and colorful sunflower garden. Take your time to select the seeds that fit your vision and gardening goals.
Requirements of Your Sunflower Plants
In essence, to guarantee the continued and healthy growth of your plants, several requirements need to be properly fulfilled. The key factor is the kind of soil you are willing to provide your plant. Sunflowers prefer well-drained, rich fertile soil with a lot of organic matter that the roots use to absorb essential elements for growth.
Another element you should ensure is that the plants are watered properly. Sunflower requires more water during the flowering and growing season, and even in maturity, they require sufficient water to minimize wilting. Once established, sunflowers are somewhat drought tolerant, but they will wilt if not grown under moisturized conditions.
Sunflowers also need plenty of sunlight to develop (just like their names indicate). Most of the day spent in full sunlight promotes better stem growth and many more flower blossoms. Sunflowers do not require anything else, just ensure the basic requirements are met; healthy soil, moistened conditions, and full sun. With all this said, the best time to plant sunflowers is the period between March to May. This is the time when the soil has warmed up and the danger of frost has abated.
Keeping Pests Away From Your Sunflowers
Another effective way to address the pest problem is to foster natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings by cultivating companion plants such as marigolds and dill, both which are known to repel some common sunflower pests like aphids.
You should also inspect your sunflowers weekly (or more often) for symptoms of pest infestation, such as distorted leaves or stunted development, and remove any afflicted plant components as soon as possible before the problem spreads further.
Physical barriers like row covers or netting can help keep larger pests like birds or squirrels away from your sunflower seeds. If pest problems continue even after using these manual methods, you can use organic pest control techniques such as spraying with neem oil or applying diatomaceous earth (#ad) around the base of your sunflowers.
How Long Do Sunflowers Take to Bloom?
Sunflowers bloom 70 to 100 days after planting, but this may vary depending on the variety and growing conditions. Dwarf varieties have shorter growing seasons and blossom in as little as 60 days, while large varieties may take longer. Additionally, temperature, sunlight, soil quality, and watering frequency impact how long it takes flowers to bloom.
Sunflowers planted in warm, sunny areas with swiftly draining soil and regular watering usually bloom more quickly. Watch your sunflowers grow, I guarantee that you’ll soon have their gorgeous, sunny blossoms decorating your garden.
The Bottom Line
Sunflowers are a fun and beautiful addition to your home garden. With their standout colors, and their added benefits of attracting pollinators, sunflowers bring beauty and life to your garden. The method discussed above is all you need to get some sunflowers growing in your garden.
Try this colorful addition to your garden and enjoy the bright disposition they bring along. Get your gardening gloves on, sow those seeds, and allow your garden to grow with the life and blooms of lovely sunflowers. Good luck!
