Bright, cheerful, and oh-so-beautiful! Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) make a wonderful addition to your backyard garden and bring those summer vibes to any space with their large flowers.

Not only do their blooms look stunning, but sunflowers are one of the best pollinating plants out there, attracting bees and insects. Sunflowers are also fast-growing and have a long blooming season -- so get ready to enjoy those colorful flowers all summer long!

Discover the ideal time to plant your sunflowers outdoors, along with basic plant care.

When to Plant Sunflowers

sunflowers growing

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You can plant sunflowers in your garden when the temperatures begin to increase, and there is no longer a danger of frost. Typically gardeners plant sunflowers outdoors in the spring, between April to June.

Check the frost date for your area, as some locations can start sowing seeds outdoors in mid-March. Sunflower seeds need some warmth to germinate properly. The soil temperature should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit before you begin planting.

Sunflower Plant Care

sunflowers growing in a backyard

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Sunflowers require minimal care and brighten your garden space with long-lasting blooms. Follow these basic care guidelines to keep your sunflowers happy.

Choose Your Sunflower 

Popular sunflower varieties include 'Mammoth,' which grows over 12 feet tall, and 'Cappuccino,' which reaches heights of 7 feet tall. If you're looking for something smaller in size, consider planting 'Sunrich Gold,' which grows to about 5 feet tall. 'Teddy Bear' and 'Sunspot' are popular choices for containers as they grow more compact, reaching only 2 to 3 feet tall. Most varieties grow to full size in roughly 80 to 95 days.

Start Sunflowers From Seed

It's best to direct sow your sunflower seeds outdoors when possible. This type of plant has sensitive roots, so try to avoid transplanting if you can. If you want to start indoors and transplant outside later, use a biodegradable pot to start your seedlings. This type of container will break down in the soil once planted.

To begin, sow seeds 1 inch deep in the soil and leave adequate room between plants. For smaller varieties, space the plants 6 inches apart. For taller-growing types, space 1 to 2 feet apart. At planting, mix in a small amount of slow-release fertilizer into the soil to help the plants along. This promotes root growth and an overall stronger, healthier plant.

Once you sow your seeds outdoors, watch for birds, as they enjoy eating sunflower seeds! To provide protection and prevent this, cover the soil with netting until the seedlings emerge. Seeds will germinate in approximately seven to 10 days. When the plants reach about 6 inches tall, thin your seedlings and only keep the strongest ones growing.

Give Proper Sunlight

Sunflowers need plenty of direct sunlight to thrive in the garden. Plant in a spot that receives full sun -- anywhere from six to eight hours per day. The location should be very bright and sunny to give your plants sufficient light. Sunflowers don't grow very well in the shade. If the plant doesn't receive enough sunlight, this will cause leggy growth and smaller blooms.

Choose a location in the garden that receives some shelter from the wind. Sunflowers grow fairly tall, and high winds can cause damage to the plant and may even break its long stems. Most sunflowers don't require support as they grow. However, you can stake taller varieties to provide the plant with extra support.

Watering Needs

Plant sunflowers in well-draining soil and water thoroughly about once a week during the spring and summertime, giving the plants a few gallons of water each time. Sunflowers will tolerate some periods of drought, so you should water the plants deeply but less often.

Pay attention to the outdoor weather and avoid watering when there is heavy rainfall. During periods of intense heat, check on your plants regularly and provide more water if necessary. Water when the first few inches of soil are dry to the touch.

Fertilize Regularly

Fertilize sunflowers with a slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer as soon as your plants have three to four true leaves. Sunflowers like slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.

When applying a slow-release fertilizer, scatter it around the plant, avoiding contact with its base and stem. If you are using a water-soluble type, avoid watering the leaves and stems of your plants. Instead, water at the soil level. If needed, dig a moat around the plant roughly 18 inches away and then apply the fertilizer.

Here Comes the Sun(flowers)!

Now that you know the correct time to plant your sunflowers outdoors, it's time to decide which type you want to grow. While most sunflowers are a bright yellow color, you can also grow white, orange, and red sunflowers -- so the options are aplenty! With the warm weather just around the corner, why not add a pop of color to your garden?

Are you planning to grow sunflowers in your garden this year? What color do you like to grow? Leave a comment down below.