Sunflower Cultivation: Sowing, Growing, and Harvesting Guide🌱
1. Choose a Variety: Pick a sunflower variety suited to your garden space and climate.
2. Time to Plant: Sow seeds directly into the ground after the last frost in spring.
3. Prepare the Site: Select a sunny location with well-draining soil. Enrich the soil with compost.
4. Sow Seeds: Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart, in rows 2-3 feet apart.
5. Watering: Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
6. Support: Stake taller varieties to keep them upright.
7. Care: Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize lightly.
8. Harvesting: Harvest when the backs of the flower heads turn yellow and seeds are mature.
9. Dry and Extract Seeds: Cut the flower heads, hang them to dry in a ventilated area, then remove the seeds.
These steps will guide you through planting, growing, and harvesting sunflowers effectively.