Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Sunflower in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 45 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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28 May 24, Lisa (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I want to plant sunflowers for table arrangements for a fund raiser Oct 19. What variety would be best for a late planting and when should i plant them for the right timing?
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24 May 24, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Is the end of May too late to start sunflowers in Zone 9b?
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30 Dec 23, paul (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Do Sunflowers and beans grow well together
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04 Jan 24, Megotu farms (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Paul We grow sunflower with our yard-long beans in North Louisiana to redirect stink bugs .... they grow well together here as the soil does not need anything different ... Marigolds grow well to help with the horn worms ....
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02 Jan 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can.
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05 Dec 23, nancy aldape (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I love sunflowers
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02 Jan 24, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Me too.
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10 Oct 23, Kathleen (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Not sure if Im in zone 4a or 4b (Ossipee, NH). When should I plant sunflower seeds?
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12 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I live in Northern California mountains. Zone 7a. Can I allow mammoth sunflower seeds to drop in fall to winterize before spring?
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14 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Maybe you would pick them and store them.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 172 comments
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I live in Sunshine Coast qld; popped a sunflower seed in the Dirt (NOT bought soil) in september 2019. Kept the ground watered untill its green stem was 30cm tall then I let it on it’s own. By December it was 120 cm tall with one huge flower. This month January 2020 the flower started to droop and lose petals and around 300 to 400 seeds where produced in the face of the seed. Considering the dry conditions in aus this summer and my lack of watering I thought this was impressive.

- Bee

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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