Sunflower seeds can be planted directly in outdoor soil after all danger of frost has passed, however they are likely to get eaten by a hungry bird or squirrel before they have a chance to sprout. Starting sunflowers seeds indoors protects them from animals and cold temperatures and gives them a head start on the growing season.
To plant sunflower seeds indoors, gardeners will need the following:
Sunflower seeds
Peat pots
Tray
Plastic wrap
Potting soil
Old spoon or garden trowel
Water
To begin, cover the work area with newspapers or an old tablecloth. Gather all materials and remove the peat pots from the packaging.
Prepare the Peat Pots for the Sunflower Seeds
Fill each peat pot with potting soil. Scoop the potting soil with the old spoon or garden trowel. Place the filled peat pots on the tray. An old cookie sheet or plastic tray works well as a potting tray.
Planting the Sunflower Seeds
Plant two or three sunflower seeds in each peat pot. The directions on a package of Burpee sunflower seeds recommends that seeds be covered with one inch of fine soil. Either poke the seeds down into the soil or set them on the top and cover with another scoop of potting soil. Gently firm the soil and water thoroughly. The outside of the peat pot should be damp, but not soaked, after the seeds have been watered.
Help the Sunflower Seeds Grow
When all the sunflower seeds have been planted and the tray is filled with peat pots, create a makeshift greenhouse by tightly covering the tray and peat pots with plastic wrap. Try to keep the plastic wrap free of wrinkles and make sure it is sealed all the way around the tray. The idea is to create an environment that will keep moisture inside the growing area. Alternatively, it’s possible to buy a plastic mini-greenhouse that is specially made to hold peat pots.
Set the covered tray of sunflower seeds in a sunny window. Check the pots every day to be sure they are staying moist. Add water if necessary. Once the seedlings have appeared, the plastic wrap can be removed. The tray of seedlings can be set outside on a warm, sunny day and brought inside at night to protect them from frost as it gets close to time to transplant the sunflower seedlings outside. This process, called hardening off, will help the sunflower seedlings acclimate to living outdoors full time.
After all danger of frost is gone and the sunflower seedlings are a couple of inches tall, transplant them into outdoor soil.
Give sunflowers a head start by starting the seeds indoors a week or two before they can be planted outdoors. Get ready to enjoy beautiful, sunflower blossoms in the coming months.
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