How to Farm Sunflowers for Cutting

Plant sunflower seeds in early spring to get a jump on the growing season. These seeds are somewhat hardy to frost, but germinate best in temperatures over 46 degrees F, so plant according to your growing region.

Plant the seeds in a site that gives you full sun for six to eight hours a day through spring, summer and fall. Make sure that the site gets quick drainage and good air circulation, to keep the sunflowers from rotting. Set aside at least 20 square feet of space to farm a large group of sunflowers through the season.

Amend the soil throughout the sunflower plot. Sunflowers don't require overly fertile soil, but do best with some nutrition and good drainage. Turn over the top 6 inches of soil to loosen it, and mix in 2 to 3 inches of organic compost. The compost adds drainage, long-lasting nutrition and moisture retention to nurture the plants.

Plant a cultivar according to your personal preferences. If you want large sunflowers, choose giant cultivars like "Giganteus," "Giant Grey Stripe" or "Jumbo." Smaller cultivars include "Sundance Kid," "Big Smile" and "Pacino."

Plant 1/3 to ½ of your sunflower plot now, and leave the rest for later planting to keep your sunflower farm productive. Dig 2-inch-deep furrows at every 30 inches to create your planting rows. Drop sunflower seeds into the furrows at every 6 inches, then fill the furrows with amended soil.

Water the sunflowers with 2 inches of water a week to keep them healthy and growing. Expect germination and growth within 12 to 15 days.

Thin the sunflower seedlings to every 1½ feet in the row when they're 6 inches tall. This gives them room to grow and stretch for best flower production.

Stagger more sunflower plantings at every two weeks to produce several harvests throughout the season. Discontinue plantings in mid-summer to give the last group of sunflowers time to grow to maturity before frost.

Harvest sunflowers based on their maturity dates. This may differ widely according to cultivar.