Sunflowers

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Like their name implies the sunflower LOVES the sun!

There are many different varieties of sunflowers from big, towering flowers with heavy heads or smaller ones you can use as a cut flower.  Sunflowers also come in a variety of colors with yellow most popular.

Find a sunny spot in your yard or garden to grow your sunflowers.

You can plant the sunflower seed right into the ground or start little seedlings inside in spring. (Use garden seeds, not spitting seeds!)

If you plant the seeds outside what until the last frost of the year.  It might be fun to create a design in the dirt and plant the seeds along the design.  Or make a ’sunflower room’ by planting the seeds in a square or rectangle; big enough for kids to play in.

After planting the seeds all you need is to water and weed.  Pretty soon a green little plant will push its way through the dirt and grow into a beautiful plant.

If you planted the big sunflowers you will get to harvest the seeds. You can leave the seeds for the birds, save the seeds to plant next year or eat the seeds!

You can harvest the seeds after the leaves have dropped in the fall. If you don’t cut off the dried out head, the birds will have a feast.  Store the head in a well ventilated area  and allow the seeds to dry for several weeks.

If the seeds can be rubbed easily from the head, the seeds are ready to harvest.  If you want to replant the seeds next year, store them in a paper bag or envelope.  Avoid airtight containers which could lead to mold.

To roast seeds, mix 1/4 or so salt and quart of water.  Soak the seeds overnight.  Spread them on a cookie sheet and roast in a warm over (200 degrees) until seeds are completely dried (3-4 hours).  Stir occasionally. Store in a airtight container.