'Autumn Beauty' is a stunner for fall bouquets

Quick tip: Pay attention to whether the variety is branching or single-stemmed. Single stems are best if you plan to cut and arrange them in vases, while branching varieties are great for long-lasting color in the garden.

The Mammoth

3. Start Your Seeds (Indoors or Out)

If sowing directly into the ground, plant seeds 1 inch deep a couple weeks after your last frost. For smaller blooms, space them 4–6 inches apart; for big sunflowers, go for 12 inches. The closer you plant them, the smaller and more bouquet-friendly they’ll be.

Planting in containers? Use one at least 12 inches deep to give roots room to stretch. Water consistently—think “moist cake,” not “mud pie.”

Want to start indoors? Grab a 72-cell tray with a humidity dome and some seed-starting mix. Here’s the simple method:

· Moisten the soil.

· Plant each seed about an inch deep.

· Pop on the dome and place it in a sunny window.

· Keep the tray moist and warm.

· Once about half have sprouted (around 7–10 days), remove the dome.

Place seeds in the middle of the cell
and poke down about 1" and cover.

A healthy tray of sunflower seedlings beginning to harden off before transplanting.

Bonus tip: Play them a little music while they grow. “Walking on Sunshine,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and “Pocketful of Sunshine” are crowd favorites.

Let seedlings grow for about two weeks, then harden them off before transplanting outdoors into warm weather. This means gradually introducing them to the elements. Start with a couple of hours outside and build up to a full day over 5–7 days. As with direct sowing, you should plant transplants outside roughly two weeks after your last frost.

Don’t worry if you forget about them outside for 24 hours. A little water might revive them, and if not, just start fresh. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful.

4. Time to Harvest

Depending on the variety, your sunflowers will be ready to bloom in 50–90 days (some can take up to 120). For cut flowers, harvest just as the petals begin to lift from the center. This gives the best vase life. Fully open blooms are beautiful, but cutting them a little early means the recipient gets to watch them bloom on their table.

Snip a few for a bouquet, or simply let them brighten your outdoor space. However you enjoy them, don’t forget to pause and soak in the joy of growing something.

Even the bees know it's harvest time!

5. Gift & Give

Wrap your blooms in brown kraft paper, tie them with twine or ribbon, and tuck in a handwritten note. Gifting can be as simple or as spontaneous as you like. Surprise a neighbor. Leave a bouquet on a friend’s porch. Bring a bundle to your local nursing home or share with someone having a tough week.

It really is the best feeling to see someone’s face light up as you hand off the blooms. Happy growing and giving!

Follow Brianna @redsquirrelflowerco