How to Transplant Sunflower Seedlings Outdoors

By: Barb Hacker

Sunflower seedlings that have been started indoors are ready to be planted outdoors after all danger of frost is gone. Sunflowers are a relatively hardy, easy-to-grow flower, but some care still needs to be taken when transplanting them into the ground.

To transplant sunflower seedlings outdoors, a gardener will need the following:

• Sunflower seedlings
• Trowel
• Sunny garden or flower bed
• Potting soil
• Water

Prepare Sunflower Seedlings for Transplanting

As the weather warms, it’s important to prepare seedlings that have been started indoors for their move outside. This process, called hardening off, is completed by setting the sunflower seedlings outdoors every day for a week or two before they are to be planted in the ground. Continue to bring them in each night, especially when there is a danger of frost. Once the danger has passed, the sunflower seedlings can be kept outdoors for a 24 hour period prior to being planted in the ground.

Planting the Sunflower Seedlings in a Flower Bed

The garden or flower bed that the sunflower seedlings will be planted in should get full sun. Once the location is chosen, carefully look over the sunflower seedlings. There should be one seedling per peat pot. If two or more seedlings survived in a peat pot, choose the healthiest seedling and remove the rest.

Dig a hole for each seedling that is about one inch deeper than the peat pot is tall. Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole. Peat pots can be planted directly in the ground or the sunflower seedling and the potting soil can be gently removed from the pot and placed directly in the hole. Fill in the hole with loose soil and cover the top gently with either loose soil or potting soil. Firm the soil around the sunflower seedling.

Plant the remaining sunflower seedlings, leaving plenty of space in between each plant for the flowers to grow and mature. Seedlings can be planted about eight to twelve inches apart. When all of the sunflower seedlings have been planted, water the flower bed thoroughly.

Caring for Transplanted Sunflower Seedlings

For the next few weeks, the sunflower seedlings will still need daily care. Check the soil each day. If it’s dry, water evenly. Weed around the sunflower seedlings daily. Fast growing weeds can choke out delicate sunflower seedlings if allowed.

Once the stems start to thicken and the sunflower seedlings seem sturdy, water every other day. It will also no longer be necessary to weed around the seedlings as they get bigger, unless it’s done for aesthetic purposes.

Sunflowers are a popular and easy-to-grow summer flower. Taking proper care of the sunflower seedlings during the transplanting process and in their first few weeks outdoors will help ensure a beautiful sunflower garden.

Source: http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/how-to-transplant-sunflower-seedlings-outdoors

See Also: Flora, Online Flowers, Flower Arrangement