Most gardeners usually just tuck their sunflower seeds directly into a garden bed or a starter pot and let nature do its thing. It’s the classic way to grow these cheerful giants! But did you know you can actually sprout sunflower seeds indoors first? It’s a great little trick that comes with some pretty cool benefits.
Getting Your Seeds Ready to Grow
First things first: if you want sprouts, you need healthy, mature seeds. If you’re growing your own sunflowers, wait to harvest the flower heads until they are completely withered. Once they’re dry, you can easily pop the seeds out by tapping them or rubbing the seed head. Give them a few more days to air-dry indoors, then store them somewhere dark, cool, and dry.
Of course, you can always buy seeds at the store, too. In the spring, you can pre-sprout a few for your garden, but honestly, sunflower sprouts are a delicious, healthy addition to your kitchen all year round!
Sprouting Seeds for Your Garden
If you don’t have the space or time to start your sunflowers indoors in pots, you’d normally sow them directly in the ground starting in late April. But have you ever noticed that sometimes only a few plants actually pop up? Usually, that’s because hungry birds found your “buffet” before the seeds had a chance to grow.
The good news? Birds generally leave sprouted seeds alone. So, starting in early to mid-May, try this pro-tip:
- Mix some water with a tiny splash of liquid fertilizer.
- Dampen a paper towel with the mixture.
- Spread your sunflower seeds out on the towel, leaving about half an inch to an inch of space between them.
- Cover them with another damp paper towel.
- Gently press the layers together.
- Slide the whole thing into a clear plastic bag.
- Seal the bag almost all the way (leave about an inch open for air) and place it in a warm, bright spot.
As soon as you see those first tiny leaves peeking out, take them out of the bag and remove the top paper towel. Let them continue to grow indoors for a few more days before transplanting them into a sunny spot in your garden.
Growing Your Own Edible Sprouts
If you’re looking to grow sprouts for salads or sandwiches, you’ll want to use a sprouting jar or a specialized germinator. Here’s the quick rundown:
- Use hulled (shelled) sunflower seeds.
- Soak them in water for about 6 to 8 hours.
- Drain the soaking water and rinse the seeds well with fresh water.
- Let them drain thoroughly in your jar or germinator.
- Rinse them with fresh water every 12 hours.
- Make sure they drain well after every rinse!
- Depending on how warm your kitchen is, they’ll be ready to harvest in 1 to 3 days.
Quick Tip:
Seeds actually sprout better if you keep the jar in a dark spot at first. Also, while you’re rinsing, try to remove any little skins that float loose—this helps prevent mold from starting.