Too early for sunflowers?

[David R]

Seeing as they have edible seeds, ive put the question here!

They are about 6" high at the mo in small pots on a South/west windowsill and i'm itching to get them in the garden but not sure how hardy they are.
Im in kent.

[David R]

[emmy1978]

Seeing as they have edible seeds, ive put the question here!

::)

Well, the planting advice on mine says can be sown outdoors from march to may. The problems i've had with mine in the past putting them outside early is the wind - they snap very easily if it's too strong and slugs!! Brace yourself for those sunflower experts...saddad, where are you?

[RobC]

I thought sunflowers were hardy, but would need hardening off first.

I've always lost those that I have transplanted, so I now plant them directly into the soil.  Having said that my daughter planted two sunflowers seeds in a pot at pre-school a few weeks ago and brought them home.  Its a kind of sunflower growing competition without the competition (competition in education is out of favour).  So this year I'll have to suceed!  I transplanted them from the tiny pot they came home into bigger pots.  I felt like a surgeon undertaking a life-thretening opertaion when I was separating the two sets of roots.  They had a good night and look to be recovering from the operation this morning.  They will stay in intensive care (the conservatory) for a while yet.   

I also planted some direct in the soil this weekend.  They went in this weekend with mini greenhouses (half a clear plastic 2 litre drinks bottle) over the top.

[allaboutliverpool]

I have planted a few seeds in pots and they are just sprouting now. I should plant yours out now, and take Robs advice and protect them with a lemonade bottle. Keep them well watered as the soil is dry and peat tends to dry out quickly, the roots need to get into the surrounding soil.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

[David R]

thanks guys,

I will plant out this weekend with bottles if I can find enough.

I shall plant deeply as I think these can root from the lower stem like toms.

[saddad]

I haven't sown mine yet... sorry for the delay but had to go for the weekly shop!
They must have some protection, the pop bottles are good for a bit then use some fleece like the serious sweet pea growers do... to keep the wind off them.
;D

[flossie]

Self set ones are germinating outside now but I think that yours will need hardening off.