“My mom likes the sunflowers in a vase and picks them to put in the house, as she says they make her feel happy. I think it is the big, bright yellow color that she likes. It reminds her of the sun she says. The bees love this sunflower plant too, because it has so many places for it to gather nectar to make honey. Just look at them buzzing around the heads. Sunflowers also attract pretty butterflies.” “Isn’t it funny how all the heads of the sunflowers seem to be pointed in the same direction?” said Josh. Jared nodded, “Yes they do that. The plant turns its head to catch the sun.” “Would you like to grow your own sunflower plant at home? “Sure, let’s head back and plant our own, then we can watch it sprout from the seed and see if it gets as tall as these ones.” “Not such a silly ole plant is it?” chuckled Jared to his cousin, as they raced back to the house.

Recipe to germinate sunflower seeds

Materials

Paper towel and sponge, water, plate or aluminum pie tin, seeds (still in hard shell)

To sprout

Place the sponge on a plate and dampen with a few drops of water. Put seeds on wet sponge. Layer a paper towel on top and dampen that sheet. Place in warm place. In 1-2 weeks they should be growing.

To Plant

Plant your sprouted seeds ¼ – 1/2 inch into soil about 1 foot apart. You can plant them in the garden, along a fence or in a large pot for on your deck. Plant 2-3 seeds in a mound so they can support each other as they grow. You can tie a stick to the stalk once it starts to grow to support it more so it grows straight. (Show pictures of each) Stages of a sunflower: Seed Sprout Leaves Head budding out Pollen stamens drops off to reveal hard seeds