How to Germinate a Sunflower for Planting

Germinating sunflower seeds before planting them outdoors ensures the chances of a better survival rate. The strongest plants are the seeds that germinate first. Germinating your sunflower seeds first shows you which seeds are viable and healthy. Sunflowers not only provide food for you, they are also a source of food for birds and other small animals to eat during the winter months. Start germinating the sunflower seeds one week before the last expected frost date.

Paper towels
Dish
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Dampen three paper towels one to two weeks before planting the sunflower seeds outdoors. If the paper towels are too wet, the sunflower seeds will mold.
- 2
  Lay the paper towels on top of each other lining up the edges. Place the paper towels on a plate.
- 3
  Place sunflower seeds on the paper towels. Only cover half the side of the paper towel.
- 4
  Fold the empty side of the paper towels over, covering the sunflower seeds. The sunflower seeds are between the paper towels.
- 5
  Place the sunflower seeds and paper towels on the counter. Check the paper towels every day to ensure they are still damp. If the towels are dry, use a spray bottle to dampen them.
- 6
  Inspect the seeds every two to three days, checking for signs of sprouting. It takes 7 to 14 days before the seeds sprout. Not all seeds germinate at the same time.
- 7
  Remove the seeds that have germinated and plant them in a sunny location. Sow the seeds about a fourth of an inch deep, and space each seed 12 to 18 inches apart. Water the soil well.

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How to Harvest Seeds From Native Sunflowers

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