Sunflower season is a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. There are many varieties of sunflowers, but they all have one thing in common: they love sunlight! If you want to plant some sunflowers, then it’s important that you know when to start planting them. In this blog post, we will discuss what varieties of sunflowers grow best in different climates, how late you can plant them, and more!
Table of Content
Sowing
Sowing sunflowers is simple. The germinable seed remains for three to five years. So it is worth taking even forgotten seed bags for this purpose. Sowing can be until July, then the last will bloom in October.
Sowing outdoors from the end of April
If you want to sow sunflowers directly outdoors, you should wait until the end of April. Prepare the soil and sow three to five seeds at a time about two centimeters deep.
Planting out pre-sprouted sunflowers at the end of May
Do not plant pre-pulled or pre-germinated sunflowers outdoors before the end of May. Even a brief frost will cause the tender plantlets to freeze.
Sunflowers that you want to cultivate in containers may be planted out earlier. However, bring the containers back indoors when the weather forecast announces night frost.
The right place in the garden
Classic and always good is a row by the fence or as a border.
Please note: Because sunflowers open their flowers to the main sun direction in the garden, the location should be well considered. Looking only at the back of the blossoms from the perch is not much fun. Because of their deep roots, sunflowers are well suited to prepare the soil for other plants. However, they extract a lot of nutrients from the soil, so the subsequent crop must be well fertilized.
Sunflowers in pot
Dwarf varieties are suitable for the pot and even for balcony boxes. Good pre-fertilized potting soil or a soil-compost-sand mixture is ideal for the pot, as well as a handful of slow-release fertilizer. A thick layer of unwashed sheep’s wool at the bottom of the tub has proven effective. The wool functions as drainage and at the same time water storage, when rotting it slowly releases its nutrients like a slow-release fertilizer. Animal hair is particularly rich in nitrogen, which is good for hungry sunflowers. Because sunshine makes you thirsty, sunflowers in tubs need plenty of water. They must not be allowed to dry out. When sowing, however, do not water immediately. First, let the seeds germinate in a shady place. Then place them in the sun and water them well. Even in a container, it is better to sow a few grains more. If necessary, the young plants can be placed in other pots or given away.
Tips & Tricks
Perennial sunflowers are hardy for the most part, unlike annual varieties. The best time to plant perennials is August. Sunflowers planted in late summer will bloom the very next year.
