Nora's Pawsome Seeds - Planting Guide
Welcome, Fellow Flower Friend!
Sunflowers have been my heart's joy since high school, when a simple "Here Comes the Sun" graphic tee sparked what would become a lifelong love affair with these sunny blooms. There's something magical about watching these giants reach for the sky, turning their faces to follow the sun throughout the day.
My journey with growing sunflowers got serious in 2020, and I've learned so much through trial and error! The seeds in this packet come directly from my garden in Schuylkill County - hand-harvested with care from my Red Velvet Queen sunflowers. What makes these beauties extra special is the surprise element - you won't know if you'll get red, orange, or yellow blooms until they actually flower!
I've included some marigold seeds too - these golden companions aren't just pretty faces that brighten the ground while sunflowers tower above. They actually help protect your sunflowers by deterring critters with their scent (which I've found those pesky garden visitors absolutely hate, but I've come to love).
Just like my Nora's Pawsome Tees designs, these flowers are unique, locally-grown, and guaranteed to bring some Skook sunshine to your garden!
Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
Wait for the right time: Plant after all danger of frost has passed (I usually wait until mid-May in the Skook). While you can start seeds indoors, I've found that sunflowers develop deep roots quickly and don't always transplant well.
Choose your spot: Select a location that gets full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily).
Prepare the soil: Loosen soil to about 6 inches deep, removing any rocks or debris.
Plant your seeds:
Dig holes 1-2 inches deep
Space sunflower seeds 12 inches apart
Alternate planting sunflower and marigold seeds (you can plant several marigolds around each sunflower)
Cover with soil and gently press down
Protect from critters: You can cover newly planted areas with garden cloches staked to the ground. This protects seeds from both animals and harsh weather. Remove when plants outgrow them.
My secret weapon: Grate bars of Irish Spring soap and sprinkle around your seedlings to further deter animals. Reapply every few weeks or after heavy rain.
Water regularly: Keep soil moist but not saturated, especially when seedlings first emerge.
Thin the seedlings: Once plants reach a few inches tall, select the strongest seedling in each spot and remove others.
For continuous blooms: Plant new seeds every 2-3 weeks for sunflowers all summer long!
Harvesting Seeds (For Next Year!)
After flowers bloom, leave the dead heads on the stems until completely dry.
Seeds start out white when the flower dies and need time to fully develop their black or black-and-white coloration.
To save seeds from hungry birds, cover flower heads with net bags.
Once fully dried, cut the heads off and collect seeds for next year's planting.
Or leave some for the birds - they make natural bird feeders!
I hope your garden brings you as much joy as mine has brought me. There's something so satisfying about watching these giants grow from tiny seeds into towering beauties that can reach 6 feet tall - kind of like how our Skook pride stands tall no matter where we go!
Happy planting!
