Sunflower

Direct sow sunflower seeds after all danger of frost has passed. Plant the large seeds no more than 1 inch deep. You can plant multiple seeds and thin them to the strongest contenders when the plants are 6" (15 cm).

For cutting gardens: start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost. Start new seeds every 2-3 weeks for continous blooms through the summer (succession planting). Consider growing pollenless varieties; sunflower pollen is considerably messy when in a vase.

Sunflowers prefer loose, well-drained soil. Try to plant your sunflowers in an area where they are somewhat protected from the wind, as strong winds can easily topple these plants. You can also support particularly tall varieties using stakes.

For cutting gardens: sow seedlings every 2" (5 cm) to keep bloom size managable for bouquets. Branching varieties have smaller blooms on sturdy stems. Consider where you are placing sunflowers in your garden- due to their size, they cast shade that can stunt the growth of nearby flowers.

Sunflowers are heavy feeders, so amend soil with organic matter prior to planting. Over-fertilization can cause stems to break, so it is not recommended.

Cut stems early in the morning for bouquets and handle gently. For eating, seeds are ripest when the back of the flower head turns from green to yellow and the bracts dry and turn brown. At this point, cut off the head and remove the seeds with your fingers or a fork. Alternatively, hang dry the flower heads to allow the seeds to dry (away from birds).

For cutting gardens: harvest blooms when they are just breaking the bud- when you can see the color (cracking). This ensures the longest vase time possible. This also keeps birds from feasting on the flowers.

Native Americans ground sunflower seeds into flour, crushed the plants as a poultice for snake bites, and brewed an infusion from the flowers for chest and pulmanary problems. Seeds can be used to make a purple-gray dye. Steamed buds have an artichoke-like flavor.