How to Grow & Harvest Sunflowers

Consider the wide variety of sunflowers available to grow in the home garden. Browse through seed catalogs and gardening magazines to view the many interesting sunflowers to choose from. Many sunflowers bloom with one large flower at the end of a tall stalk, but many sunflowers sport multiple short side stems that hold additional blooms. These can create a wonderful display of color, particularly if you choose a variegated sunflower. Often the blooms on the same plant will vary in color. Side blooms tend to be smaller flowers that complement the main bloom.

Choose the sunflower that best matches your needs. Consider the size of the full grown sunflower and the length of the growing season needed to reach maturity. Sunflowers are divided into three groups. The giant sunflowers reach a height of over 10 feet, regular sunflowers reach between 6 and 10 feet, and miniature sunflowers grow to be 2 to 4 feet high at maturity.

Prepare an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Although sunflowers will grow with less light, the blooms will be bigger and brighter when grown in direct sun.

Till the soil to at least 6 inches and remove any rocks or debris found in the soil. Discard any roots or portions of plants as these will quickly take root again. Sunflowers build strong large roots to support the stalk. They need plenty of room for root growth.

Work compost or composted manure into the existing soil. You can apply your regular garden fertilizer at this stage.

Follow spacing requirements of the sunflower you are growing. As a general rule, giants should be spaced 3 feet apart in rows that are at least 3 feet apart. Regular sunflowers need 2 feet between them and the next plant. Miniatures can be planted 1 foot apart.

Plant the seeds to the depth recommended for the particular type you have chosen. The back of the seed packet should provide this information. Cover with the appropriate amount of soil and pack down firmly with your hands.

Keep evenly moist until the sunflower germinates. Water regularly whenever the soil gets dry.

Fertilize with a high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer when the sunflower forms a bud. This will promote flower development and larger blooms.

Harvest sunflowers when the petals have dropped from the plant. The seeds should be brown or grey at this point. Open a seed to see if it is filled.

Cut the flower head from the stalk leaving 3 to 4 inches of the stalk intact. Tie with a string and hang to dry in a dry well ventilated area. Do not leave the seed heads lying in a heap to dry. Mold and mildew will grow quickly without ventilation.

Remove the dried seeds when the head is completely dry and the seeds pop out easily. Rubbing to heads together will cause the seeds to fall out easily once the head is dry.

Store in an airtight container as a healthy snack or to feed the birds.