Sunflower Seeds - Autumn Beauty

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 60

Packet Weight: 2g

Planting Season: After Last Frost

Sowing Method: Direct Seed or Transplant

Seed Depth: 1”

Direct Seed Spacing: 4-6"

Soil Temperature: 65-85℉

Days to Sprout: 5-12

Mature Spacing: 8-12"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Frost Tolerance: Frost Sensitive

Days to Harvest: 70-80

Production Cycle: Annual

When to Seed Sunflowers

Plant sunflower seeds outside after the daytime temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed. They can also be transplanted but typically prefer to be direct seeded. They can be planted in successions for staggered bloomtimes until mid summer.

Where to Plant Sunflowers

Plant in direct, full sun. They will tolerate poorer soils, but will grow best in amended garden soil. Sunflowers can condition soils and can even pull heavy metals and toxins out of the soil. 

Growing Sunflowers

Sow seeds one inch deep and four to six inches apart. Press down to ensure seed to soil contact for improved germination rates. Once mature, thin to eight to 12 inches apart. Once established, these flowers are low maintenance and drought tolerant.

Harvesting Sunflowers

Sunflowers can be harvested for cut flowers, seeds, or left to mature in the garden where they will likely reseed.

How to Harvest Autumn Beauty Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are easy to save and harvest using the dry process method! Simply let the flower dry out on the plant. Once the seed head turns brown and dry, cut the heads off and let them fully dry out. When they are ready to harvest, the seeds will be easy to remove. Brush your hands over the flower heads to remove the flowerlets from the seeds. Crack the seed heads open and use your fingers to push the seeds out from the seed heads. Seeds will vary in color and some may be variegated.

To easily separate the seeds from the chaff (excess plant matter), put all material in a bowl and blow gently on it while shaking the bowl, or do this in front of a fan.