Sunflowers
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One sunflower plant grew right inside an old log in the garden. It produced several flower heads to feed the wildlife. |
Sunflowers spring up where I least expect them in the garden. The birds either drop the seeds as they fly over or the chipmonks and squirrels bury the seeds.
What fun it is to watch the bluejays and other birds as they land on the flower heads and eat the seeds inside. |
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Sunflowers come in many varieties. If you want to save the seeds I recommend you cover the flower head with a mesh bag or an old leg off some pantyhose. Otherwise the birds will get the seeds before you do.
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What fun it is to watch the bluejays and goldfinches as they land on the flower heads and eat the seeds inside. The photo above is the seed heading starting to dry out. You can see some of the black seed starting to peek through.
The seeds come in many colours and sizes ... the type of seed you plant will determine the height and the colouring on the sunflowers. Sow seeds directly outside after the last frost. Space seeds about 10 - 15 cm. apart and cover with about 1.25 cm. of soil. Try to plant them where you want them to grow as I've found that the small plants don't like to be transplanted. You could start the seeds in seedpots inside to give them a head start, then you just need to plant them outside when it starts to warm up. Blooms in August and September.
Print a seed label for sunflower seeds. |
