Over the past 2 or 3 years I have tried everything to get my little patch of ground to yield a small covy of sunflowers -- but if I get one sprout out of 3 pouches of seeds, that is a lot. Last year I thought perhaps the problem was that something was eating the seeds after I planted -- the usual suspects would be the squirrels (although they have more sunflower seeds than they could ever consume since there are at least 3 bird feeders along with plenty for the ground-feeders); anyway, last year, after carefully planting the seeds, I then covered the area with burlap. Anticipating at least a few, I planned to remove the burlap as soon as I saw sprouts. Not even one sprout. :-( By the way, the location is sunny, west side,and have not added anything to the soil in the past. I just ordered several hundred seeds from a bulk distributor -- so I am determined to see sunflowers this year -- but even 'quantity' may not be the answer to my problem. So I thought I'd ask the pros....your thoughts?

"...water when I remembered..."

You have to do better than that. You need to keep the seedbed moist, even if that means sprinkling it every day until the sunflowers come up.

It is fairly common for something to eat your sunflower seeds, with birds and rodents being prime suspects. You should be able to verify that nothing ate your seeds by digging down and finding a few. That will let you inspect what condition they are in, with perhaps a root emerging and about to germinate, or the seed is soft and rotten and obviously dead.

Incidentally, what, if anything is growing in that sunflower patch right now? Grass? You could run your own germination test on a few of your seed by putting them in a Ziploc bag with a folded moist paper towel. If you were planting food grade sunflower seed in the past, they may have been baked or otherwise killed in the processing. I plan to grow a patch of sunflowers this year myself, and I am concerned about birds getting mine. I plan to plant them about an inch deep, because it says to do that on the seed packet. The seedlings should emerge in 7 - 14 days, the packet says.

ZM

I had planted a few other perennials in the patch years ago, which are doing well. I typically clean up the patch of any weeds and stray grass prior to planting the sunflower seeds (although I live in the city, so stray grass is not much of an issue) -- but this year I will add some peat moss to see if that helps (I tried incorporating dried manure last year). Good luck with yours!

Moisture is very important during germination and seedling stages. Let the seed dry out just once during the process and you are done.

When sowing your seeds, plant multiple seeds in the same spot. When they come up and get a couple true leaves, pinch off all of the smallest seedlings, keeping the largest and strongest one.

I did not know about the taproot situation -- good point- and I certainly do not want short sunflowers. I will try again this year -- with vigilance on the watering. Every day, you think? I am sure I watered at least 3 times a week -- but you think every day is better?

"How about starting them indoors first?"

As franknjim said, that's not a good idea because of the importance of the taproot to sunflowers. That advice is confirmed in this sunflower webpage at Renee's Garden. There is also some advice on growing ornamental sunflowers at Sunflower Selections.

What is your goal for your sunflowers? Tall plants? Big flowers? Ornamental? Snack seed? Bird food? I plan to save seed from my best specimens this year, with the idea of getting improved results next year.

ZM
(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

I am hoping that your suggestions work because I would also like to take some seed from the best flowers to use for subsequent years -- but so far, that's only a dream. :-)

Just talking to you guys has made me so excited just thinking about cleaning up for the new season. I am very concerned, however, since the hydrangeas were already putting out their buds in January and I had not even pruned them back yet -- that usually doesn't happen until March/April -- but the mild winter played havoc on some of the plants. I suspect I won't get much in the way of flowers this year. But, if I have a "wall of sunflowers" that will make up for the loss. :-) :-) Thanks!!