OK, now that I have that out of my system, WHEW, I'm already thinking about planting.

I'm not going to put much in because well, I don't know why. SHRUG

Anyhow, I have a 5-ft something lovely beige cement block wall at the end of our backyard. And on each side & in the front of the backyard is chain link fencing.

Last summer in-ground sprinkler systems were installed. The contractors left behind bare dirt trails rather than laying sod. I'm thinking of taking advantage of those trails along the wall & fences, by planting sunflower seeds.

Do you think they'll disturb the sprinkler pipes?

I wanted all really tall sunflowers but my sister in PA said I should look into some of the other varieties of different heights & colors.

So, what do you suggest?

I'm hoping they'll grow rather than get weed whacked or mowed down. I know they'll get enough water this time since the sprinklers were turned on last year rather than the contractor waiting until this year.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed because the only time I had luck growing sunflower seeds in WA, AR & UT is when I got volunteers underneath bird feeders! LOL

i think that different heights & colors would look better than all the same. although when they're all the same, that looks good too. i picked up a packet this year of some sunflowers that are more of a lemon color....we'll see if they turn out well. i also have thought about getting the ones that are red.
i also like the pics of the dwarf sunflowers, but haven't seen anyone grow them, or i just haven't noticed them. will keep a lookout this year.

i suggest to put a group of the tall ones in the middle, then put different varieties to the sides of the tall ones. just a thought :)

Red sunflowers?! OOOH now that sounds enticing!

stevation,

That's good to know! Thanks!

dereks,

I'd have to beg, borrow or steal some containers. That or eat a lot from the deli. So much for my diet! HA! LOL

You can use milk jugs. That's what I'm going to do, and I have six of them waiting for me to find time to sow now. There's a good thread on this in the Rocky Mountain forum, with photos of some milk jug and soda bottle containers. See it at the link below and scroll down the Feb 8th post with photos. Pretty helpful stuff!

Oh & by the way, after Wed's "lovely" storm, which I had to drive in from Murray to the AFB, I was ready to scream! Hurry up warm weather!

i have sowed directly in the dirt in fall, spring and summer. they grow so fast, it really does not matter when you plant them withing reason for you to see a bloom. but the growth can also be a problem with sowing them indoors as they get very leggy very quickly even if planted outside without enough sunlight. unless you have a greenhouse, i think you would be better off planting directly into the dirt. they will grow when the time is right. if you plant indoors and winter lasts a mere two weeks longer than you expected, you might have some pretty weak plants that are not worth sending to their death outdoors. patients, spring is coming.

another note. sunflowers have a tap root, but sometimes will be very shallow rooted when there is surface water available. i have seem many large sunflowers uproot in wind when the soil is moist just like a tree. consider staking an large varieties or tying them to you chain link fence. remove the flowers before they drop seeds unless you like weeding.

good luck!

Maybe I just won't plant on that side.

Anyhow, I'll be on the lookout for seeds. I don't want to buy too many & I know there is quite the variety on the market. I'm going to stay with the sunflowers that actually look like such. For instance, I don't like the looks of "Teddy Bear".