Viewing post #1404621 by joannakat

Garden10 said:Hi Joanna, thank you! I don't know what kind of sunflowers I'm talking about either, I've seen them on OTHER people's properties, maybe 6-8 feet tall. But on the link you gave me, I saw the American Giant Hybrid, 16 feet tall, are they KIDDING?? At first, I thought I'd be embarrassed to have a line of those, and then I really got into that Jack in the Beanstalk reference (remember the Bugs Bunny version with the giant who says, aw, you tink you're pretty C-A-T smart?? OK, back to our regular programming.)

Yours are gorgeous, and I am going to take your advice about starting them inside, but please tell me, how far in advance should I start them before putting them in the ground? I won't plant them outside until May 15th. I will put those cutworm collars around them. I'll give them every chance. I'm going seed shopping tomorrow!!!

LOL!!! I would start them about two weeks in advance. As long as they have enough light and warmth, they'll be fine until you're ready to plant them outside. You can plant too many, and then if some die once outside, you'll have the number you want. If none die or get eaten, then you can thin them out as they get bigger.

Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know, but don't feed them or use fertilizer until they're well established outside.

Good luck seed shopping--it's one of my favorite things to do! Be sure to update us too!