How do you grow sunflowers successfully?

Question

I see many in bloom right now.I always have the birds eating the seeds before they fully germinate--and they have even got to transplanted seedlings also!

Answer 1

You could try putting some type of netting over the rows until the seeds germinate and really establish themselves well (get to be about 3 ft tall?)... elevate the netting for better air circulation and raise the netting as they grow? Another option might be to put some type of fake predator out there to scare them away. Plastic snake?

Answer 2

What an unusual problem to have...I have just the opposite problem. My birds don't care for the sunflower seeds so they spread them everywhere...thus, I have an abundance of sunflowers growing in my flower beds. It sounds like you have a lot of very hungry birds. Put up a bird feeder or two, fill them with wild bird seed and your problem should be solved. If the seedlings are being eaten it is probably an animal. Try surrounding your sunflowers with marigolds. They will keep away many animals.