Evening Sun Sunflower

Start seeds indoors 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date in biodegradable pots; sunflowers are sensitive to root disturbance, so direct planting of the pot into soil minimizes transplant shock. Maintain soil temperatures around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically sprout within 7-14 days.

Transplant outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, planting the entire biodegradable pot directly into the ground to avoid root damage. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows spaced 36 inches apart.

Sow seeds outdoors after your last frost date, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Scatter seeds or sow in rows as preferred. For continuous fall blooms, sow successive batches until mid-June. Thin seedlings when they reach 3 inches tall to achieve proper spacing.

Cut flowers for arrangements once blooms have fully opened and petals have unfurled. For seed saving, allow late-season flowers to mature fully on the plant; harvest seed heads once the back of the flower head turns brown or golden and begins to dry. Cut the entire seed head and hang upside down in a cool, dry location to finish drying before extracting seeds.

Cut flowers frequently throughout the season to encourage the plant to produce more blooms; this continuous removal of spent or early flowers redirects energy into additional flowering rather than seed development. If you want to allow seeds to mature late in the season for saving or wildlife, simply stop cutting those particular flowers and let them develop naturally.