How to Maximize the Size of Your Sunflowers

Choose the correct type of sunflower seeds. Anything with the word "mammoth" in it can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Look on the back of the seed packet to find out the best time for planting in your area. Usually, mammoth sunflowers are planted in mid to late spring when the danger of frost has past. The earlier you plant them, the taller they will get.

Create a large space in the garden for your sunflowers. The area must receive direct sunlight for most of the daylight hours.

Lay down several inches of garden soil that contains plant fertilizer and/or compost. Sunflowers prefer to get their nutrients from the soil rather than from liquid fertilizer.

Push the seeds into the soil until they are 1 inch deep in the ground and 18 inches apart from each other. Cover them with loose soil.

Lay down a piece of cheesecloth or plant screen over the newly-planted seeds. Otherwise, animals will quickly eat the seeds.

Water the seeds once a day after the hottest part of the day is over. The soil should be moist, not sopping wet. Once they are seedlings, water each one until you are sure the water has reached its roots.

Plant a stake next to each seedling when it starts to grow. Once the plant is big enough to start drooping, tie the stem of the flower to the stake for extra support.

Prune the sunflowers as they grow. Remove any dead leaves or flower parts. Make sure the stems are growing straight up with the help of wooden or metal stakes.