Below are some hints and tips for growing your sunflower next year, but in the meantime here are some alternative uses for your recently harvested sunflower seeds.

In addition to looking fantastic, sunflower seeds also taste great. Full of nutrients - calcium, thiamine, vitamin B-6 and folic acid - sunflower seeds make a fantastic snack.

Many people eat roasted sunflower seeds.

To do this simply spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast them in a 350°F / 177°C oven for about 10 minutes. When the seeds start to swell and the hulls crack, they’re ready. Cool and salt to taste.

	Sunflowers don’t like drying out and they can soon start to wither. Make sure they are well watered; each watering should aim to reach its roots, rather than just touching the surface.
	Your sunflower plant can grow up to 12 inches every day!
	Beware of hungry rabbits and pigeons who love a sunflower seedling!
	The sunflower is not one flower, but a cluster of more then 2000 tiny flowers growing together
	Only plant seedlings outside when they are large enough to be handled and the root system is well developed.
	Ensure you support your sunflower stem whilst growing with stakes (tie them every 150cm with soft ties).