How to Grow Sunflowers From Seeds Indoors and Outdoors

Sunflowers properly grow best in the locations with full sun. They will be growing in any kind of soil as long as it’s not waterlogged. The sunflowers will be fine in soils which are slightly acidic to somewhat alkaline in pH 6.0 to 7.5.

As an easy plant to grow, the sunflowers often plant themselves which is springing up unbidden beneath a bird feeder. Therefore, if you really want to plant the sunflowers, you surely can grow it from seeds indoors and outdoors. Of course, it takes very careful handling when you grow them from seeds.

Thankfully, this post will guide you to grow the sunflowers from seed indoor and outdoor effectively and efficiently. So, let’s see how to grow the sunflowers below!

Growing Sunflowers from Seeds Indoor and Outdoor, Here’s for Guides!

The sunflowers sign happy which are well-known as summery flowers. Sunflower is a tall plant with big-daisy-like flowers which come in yellow and red stones. However, this kind of flower is a superb garden project especially for your kids, considering it’s easy to grow. We guarantee that your kids will really love this project.

Which makes this flower so attractive is that they have the brown centers which turn black as they develop into seed heads. Additionally, these flowers tilt their flower heads to follow the sun around the sky during the day. The sunflowers produce the seeds which is great for wildlife’s foods due to a lot of garden birds really like to eat the sunflower seed. As we know, the sunflowers seeds can be harvested for yourself or for trade.

Are you ready for growing the sunflowers? Here’s how to grow them from seeds!

Step 1: Sowing the Seeds Indoor

The first way that you should do when you want to grow sunflowers is to start sowing the seeds indoors first. Even though you’re able to sow them directly in the ground where you want to grow it, it’s better for you to sow it indoors first. This way is definitely to prevent the seeds from the wildlife to potentially dig the seeds back.

To sow the seeds indoor, you surely have to fill the individual pots with seed compost. You can then sow the 12mm deep on their sides. Some varieties of sunflowers will take 120 days to mature which just will not work in our 100-day growing season. To extend the season, you can start growing the sunflowers indoor about 3-4 weeks early. Here, you should be sure to harden them off by taking them outside for a day or two before planting.

Once you sow them on the pot, you should water them and keep somewhere warm until they germinate. If you already see the sunflowers germinating, you can continue to the next way.

Step 2: Hardening the Seeds Off

If the sunflower seeds have germinated which have two sets of leaves, it’s a great time for you to begin hardening them off. You’re able to take the pots outside on warm days and bring it back at night. Of course, you have to continue this way for a week. However, this way is totally done to acclimatise the plants to outdoor conditions. This way can prevent the sunflowers from dying after planting outdoors.

Step 3: Plant the Sunflowers Outdoor

If you notice that the sunflowers are ready to plant in the garden, you can continue to prepare the soil in the garden which is great for them to grow. You can then water the soil well. If you already have the great space in the garden to plant the sunflowers, the next way that you should do is to dig over the soil and remove any weeds. You can then rake the surface to a fine crumbly texture. Now, it’s a good time to plant the sunflowers in the soil after 3-4 weeks indoor.

To start planting the sunflowers into the soil, you should be careful. Please avoid damaging the tap root, meaning your sunflowers may never thrive a lot. You should plant the sunflowers in full sun in a sheltered spot-preferably against a wall or fence. It really can protect the long stems from the wind, so they do not get blown over.

To note, the sunflowers prefer well-drained soil which is rich in nutrients. It means that you should add some compost or slow-release fertilizer to the ground before you plant them. The best temperature to plant the sunflowers is in 55 degrees to 60 degrees F where the growing seasons are long. However, the sunflowers can take a chill or two.

In planting them in the soil, make sure that you have good drainage as they are not tolerant to waterlogged souls. Ideally, the sunflowers want 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day and they really love the heat. The soil to plant the sunflowers is not particular, all you need is to dig it to be deep.

They will send down long tap roots, so the soil must be loose at least 2 feet down. If you just have the shallow soils, it’s better for you to grow them in raised beds to give them a bit more growing space.

Important! The sunflower is a bit sensitive to wind. So, with a tall growing stalk and the high winds are able to break them and destroy their seeds head. Indeed, the stalk is resilient but it can only take so much. Need to know, if you live in a windy area, try to grow them against a south-facing wall or fence for protection.

In planting the sunflowers in the garden, make sure they are in a fenced area to keep the animals away from them or plant plenty. Moreover, the sunflowers are resistant to most diseases but they will get worms in the blossoms. If you see them, just simply pick them out by hand. You should also make some animals such as birds, squirrels and also deer to go away from your sunflowers as they are the biggest problems for your plants.