Aimee Stern. I have been working with scientists and engineers on explaining their research and other work to the general public for almost a decade. I've explained the science of many things and how they connect to the real lives of real people.
Sunflower seeds are best sown outdoors directly into the garden. After planting, cover them with a screen, as the birds and animals love to dig the seeds out. You can also start them in a seedbed and transfer them when they are small. If you plant sunflowers indoors, use individual peat pots. Start two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area. Plant one or two seeds per pot, thinning to one before planting outdoors. If you grow them to feed the birds, look for seedlings growing near the base of last year's crop.
Waiting is especially difficult when you're planting sunflower seeds and anticipating the happy faces smiling over the garden. Many annual sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) sprout quickly, within seven to 10 days, but you may need to wait as long as two months before the bright flowers appear. Sunflower Delights Sunflowers, one of the most interesting flowers in the garden, grow rapidly from tiny seeds into tall stalks. Little is more pleasant on a summer's afternoon than watching the large, bright flower heads turn to follow the sun.