How to keep sunflowers alive for the growing season

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a popular choice among both gardeners and farmers for their large, showy flowers as well as moderate difficulty in terms of care. Yet, in order for these colorful plants to flourish throughout the summer there are a few basics that need to be included. From germination to full bloom, we provide you with everything here on how you can maintain healthy and impressive sunflowers.

**1. Choosing the Right Location**

Sunflowers love the sunshine and need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Look for a location with all-day sun. Also, sunflowers must have a well-draining soil because they can be prone to root rot. It prefers loamy soil and usually thrives in a moderately acid of neutral pH (6-7). Do not plant in pools of water, sunflowers are susceptible to fungal diseases that love hot wet conditions.

**2. Preparing the Soil**

Loosen the top foot of soil where you'll plant. This helps the roots to establish more successfully and ensures healthy growth. Add organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility. Sunflowers do not have high nutrient requirements for soil, but if your dirt is particularly poor in fertility then a balanced fertilizer can give the flowers a good boost.

**3. Planting Sunflowers**

Sunflowers can be sown directly in the soil by seeds, or bought from a nursery as seedlings. If planting seeds, sow about 1–1.5-inches deep and at distances of between six to twelve inches apart (depending on the variety). With taller varieties spacing is important as each plant needs enough space to grow and not compete with others for light or nutrients. Water the seeds right after planting, and keep that soil moist until grass seed germination (7 to 10 days).

**4. Watering Wisely**

Sunflowers become drought-resistant once they are established, but during the early growth stages they require regular moisture. Water Less Deeply And Apart Rather Than Watering In Shallow Frequency Thus aiding in deeper rooting, which supports better drought resistance once the plants are established. During the hot season, check your soil every day and waterered when top inch is dry to touch. Water at the base of plant and avoid over head watering to prevent fungal diseases.

**5. The Many Benefits of Fertilizing**

In general sunflowers are not heavy feeders, so they do not often need an overabundance of fertilization. Regardless, they do best with a 10-20-10 balanced fertilizer at planting and again, mid-season. The best thing to use is a formula such as 10-10-10 or even something less powerful like 14-14-14 in that it supplies what the plants need without assaulting them. Too much fertilizing, especially nitrogen, will encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

**6. Supporting Tall Varieties**

Some types of sunflower can grow very tall, and may need support to prevent them from being blown over by the wind. Stake or support at the time of planting, so as not to disrupt those roots in future. Soft ties for securing the stems to stakes as they grow. Make sure the support structure is high enough and good quality not to be blown over by strong winds.

**7. Pest and Disease Management**

Sunflower are generally considered as a pest and disease free plant but few problems may be seen sometimes. Pests: Aphids, spider mites sunflower beetles Monitor Your Plants for Infestations If pest pressure is problem they can be dealt with by insecticidal soap or neem oil. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can control fungal diseases like powdery mildew or downy mildew.

8. Pruning and Deadheading

Sunflowers require little in the way of pruning. However, it is a good idea to clip any diseased or damaged leaves so that the plant remains healthy. For those that bloom multiple flowers on a stem — deadhead (cut off spent blooms) to encourage the next set of blooms and prolong flowering. All you do is use a clean pair of garden shears and snip the old blooms from the stem onwhich they sat.

9. Harvest and End of the Seasons Maintenance

When that growing season comes to an end, how do you harvest sunflower seeds? For eating or saving seed, harvest after those bracts have turned yellow and seeds are plump and hard. Clip the plant heads and hang them upside down in a cool, dry location Once the seeds are completely dry, break them off of the heads and store in a cool, dark place.

Ornamental sunflowers — Leave flowers in place until petals wilt and fall off. As the season goes on, this looks beautiful in a garden giving it an old-fashioned look.

10. Winterizing

Clean up the garden area after harvest is complete, then remove and dispose of plant debris to prevent disease or pests from overwintering in your garden. To reseed in the area or grow sunflowers there next season, you may want to rotate crops so as not deplete soil nutrients and reduce risk of disease.

If you follow these basics you will be well on your way to a full season of beautiful sunflowers. With good planting and care, to pest treatment process, to harvesting—care enough you get the prettiest garden highlight that makes your outdoors bloom with delight each day.

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