sunflowers

[MissMommyNiceNice]

should I start indoors or just toss in the ground? thoughts?

[deditus]

Birds ate most of mine that I direct seeded last year, so I am starting inside this year.

[JamieCatheryn]

Transplanting really stunted mine when I tried some of each. My vote is to try direct seeding.

[gmvh]

I've repeatedly had good luck just tossing seeds outside. Plant more than you need to keep them from getting eaten?

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Well, I'm doing it at my grandma's this year in the garden we started together. The squirrels ate all I had planted here last year. But if you've been around this forum awhile, you know how I feel about squirrels!

I have two entire packets, so some are bound to come up, I guess! She doesn't have squirrel problems like we do, and people feed the birds so they're more likely to eat at feeders than out of the garden, I hope!

[mattemma04]

I have done both and it went well either way.

My issue was the squirrels.I had a row of sunflowers going next to my driveway.It was awesome.But one day squirrels tore down every head looking for seeds.I was so sad when I pulled into the driveway that day.I replaced the sunflowers with ornamental grass.Now I plant in my fenced yard,and let the dogs chase the squirrels away from my sunflowers.

[Erinz]

Sunflowers notoriously do not like to be transplanted. As a pp said you will likely stunt them or at least interrupt their growth. Direct seeding is the best, perhaps cover them with something because who doesn't love sunflower sprouts?! ARGH! The birds got nearly all of mine last year (along with the corn!)