How to Grow Sunflowers in Kentucky

Sow the sunflower seeds between April and May. This is when the threat of frost is over in the Kentucky region and the soil is starting to warm up.

Plant sunflowers in full sun. Sunflowers require six to eight hours of direct sunlight. An open, sunny section of your garden is the best spot for sunflowers.

Plant the seeds in 1-foot to 2-feet wide rows. The rows will make it easier to access the garden bed for watering and weeding. Push the seeds down about a 1/2 inch into the soil and cover them.

Water the seeds thoroughly after planting. This will speed up germination and help settle the soil over the seeds.

Grow disease-resistant and pest-resistant varieties of sunflowers for a more successful harvest. Standard sunflowers are susceptible to pests in Kentucky such as beetles, weevils and moths. These flowers are also prone to diseases such as downy mildew and Sclerontinia white mold.

Weed the garden early in the growing season when the sunflowers need the most water and nutrients. Weeds steal valuable resources from sunflowers and are the biggest threat when the sunflowers are still young and developing. Pull weeds by hand and throw them in the garbage.

Thin the seedlings after they sprout. Sunflowers grown too closely together will compete for resources. Thin the seedlings about 1 1/2 feet apart for tall sunflowers and one foot apart for dwarf sunflowers.

Stake tall sunflowers to prevent them from falling over. Place a tomato cage around each sunflower plant or tie each sunflower to a bamboo stake sunk into the ground next to the plant. Keeping the flower heads off of the ground will protect the flowers from garden pests and prevent disease.

Spread mulch around the base of each sunflower plant. Mulch will retain moisture in the soil during the hot Kentucky summers, keep the soil cool and prevent weeds from overtaking the garden.

Water the sunflowers daily. Sunflowers are not drought resistant and will wilt if they do not get enough water.

Protect the flowers from pests. Wild animals commonly found in Kentucky, such as deer and squirrels, may try to feed on the sunflower seeds. Place a cylindrical wire cage around each plant to protect them.

Harvest the sunflowers when the flower starts to turn brown. Cut the flower about two inches below the flower head and hang it upside down to dry in a well-ventilated area.

Rotate the location of the sunflower plants every three to four years. Growing sunflowers in the same location in your garden every year will deplete the soil of the nutrients the sunflowers need to grow.