Easter is fast approaching – and you’ll probably want to keep your kids entertained. But if you want to keep your little ones happy without splashing tonnes of cash, then growing sunflowers in your garden could be the perfect way.
So why would you want to grow sunflowers? Well, first and foremost, they look gorgeous and are bright symbols of positivity.
But sunflowers are hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels, and once established, sunflowers are relatively drought-resistant, requiring only moderate watering.
They are also highly attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This helps support local ecosystems and improves pollination for nearby crops.
Also, they grow rapidly, often reaching full height in just a few weeks, making them appealing for those who want to see quick results – like children.
Sarah, who posts on TikTok as @iwetmyplants2023, showed how to grow tonnes of sunflowers from “just a few seeds” as she showed off what she’d managed to plant in her garden.
She said she planted the seeds, and with “plenty of watering and sunshine, they continued to grow”. This is a task you can do now to bear beautiful results by the end of summer.
Sarah continued: “Where I had two sunflowers growing together, I pulled out the smallest one and just left the strongest, healthiest plant. This left 10 sunflower plants to grow. And they grew, and they grew, and they grew”.
She planted ‘Sunburst’ varieties, adding: “So each plant has around 20 to 30 blooms on it, so that’s nearly 300 flowers from just 20 seeds.”
Sarah said that the plants had given her “so much joy,” and given her neighbours joy as well. She also highlighted that the flowers are important for the bees.
If you grow these sunflowers now, come September, they may still be blooming, with buds ready to open – so it’s well worth the investment. And you and the children in your life can sit back and appreciate the fruits of your labour.
Sarah then finished the video by showing off all the gorgeous flowers that had bloomed, encouraging others to do the same.
In the comments, someone asked: “Is it best to plant them straight outside or sow first? I’m so conflicted!”
Sarah responded: “I planted mine straight in the ground, and they grew really well.”
The best time to plant sunflowers is between April and May, to ensure that all the frost is gone. If you follow this advice, hopefully you’ll have some gorgeous sunflowers to brighten your outdoor space soon.
