Sunflower Seedlings at Twenty-Three Days

It is measurement time for the sunflower seedlings in my flower garden! As of April 6, 2014, it has been twenty-three days since I planted the sunflower seeds. On the sixth day, March 20th, the sunflower seedlings first emerged or broke ground. Today, the 23rd day since the sunflower seed planting, I did my first measurements on the seedlings growth.

It is really curious that the most growth is being seen in the fourth row; the last row in which I planted the seeds!

Sunflower Garden Four Rows of Seedlings at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014 - 9:56am

Here is the sunflower garden on the twenty-third day. There is actually good growth throughout all four rows; however, the exceptional growth in the fourth row makes it look like those other rows are slackers!

SUNFLOWER SEEDLING MEASUREMENTS

Drumroll for the moment of truth! How big are the sunflower seedlings?

Sunflower Seedling Height of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The most height attained above ground is pretty much six inches and a hair. The sunflower seeds were planted a bit deeper this year, but the best growth is from the seedlings in the rows where the digging critter initially uprooted them.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The widest width of the prospering sunflower seedlings is six to seven inches! Yes, many of the sunflower seedlings are wider than tall. Thankfully, the stems are thickening up to support the top heavy weight of the leaves. Using the black weed barrier cloth to cover the seedlings at night hasn't affected their posture so to speak. That is, they are all standing up pretty erectly.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Seven Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

The biggest sunflower seedlings are in the part of the fourth row that was the first seedlings dug up by the critters. I guess it is a mixed blessing - a positive and negative.

Sunflower Seedling Width of Six Inches at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

As you can see, there are a lot of different sunflower seedlings clumped together. I'd rather have more than not enough!

SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS BACKUP

Since I wasn't really sure how well my harvested sunflower seeds from my first garden would grow, I did three pots of sunflower seedlings as a backup.

Sunflower Seedlings in Backup Pots at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

Each morning, I uncover the three pots and bring them out into the sun on the brick patio at the back of my house. To the right, you can see the weed barrier cloth drying. The digging critter also found the two rectangular pots and did a bit of digging. The growth is probably average to above average in those two pots.

Sunflower Seedlings in Flower Pot at 23 Days ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: April 6, 2014

There are two sunflower seedlings in the round flower pot. The larger one is a good seven inches wide from left to right and five-and-a-half inches wide top to bottom on the leaves. It is only about five inches tall.

I will continue to cover the sunflower seedlings at night for a little while longer. Fingers crossed that the digging critters go elsewhere! Like maybe China??

So, have I interested you at all in planting your own flower garden? May I heartily recommend to you, Burpee Sunflower Seeds! You can find a good variety at Amazon. And, be sure to check out my Sunflower Seedlings at Thirty Days!

Sunflower Seedlings Emerging in Six Days

On Thursday morning, March 20, 2014, I spied my first little sunflower seedlings emerging. Since I wasn't using a seed starting kit this year, I opted to plant my sunflower seeds directly into the soil, just a bit deeper. So, six days seems reasonable when looking for sunflower seedlings to break through the soil.

First Sunflower Seedling of 2014 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 20, 2014

You can see that humble first sunflower seedling in the photo. You get an idea of how small it was when you compare it to the teal green round fertilizer granules from the Sta-Green Potting Mix.

Over the next few days, I started to see more and more seedlings emerging. In fact, I was seeing areas with too many sunflower seedlings coming up. I knew I would have to cull them out once they got bigger.

HOLD THE PHONE!

Sunflower Seedlings Dug Up ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 22, 2014

You know that expression, "be careful what you ask for?" The morning of March 22nd, when I stepped out my patio door, I couldn't believe my eyes! In the first row of sunflower seedlings, the row nearest the house, I saw a critter had been digging like crazy. If you look closely, you can see many little sunflower seedlings lying "helter skelter" on the ground.

I put on my yellow rubber gloves and gathered up the seedlings and buried them back in the row, covering them with the dirt and potting mix.

OH NO! NOT AGAIN!!

Sunflower Seedlings Dug Up Again ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 23, 2014

The next morning of March 23rd, I was actually awake at a little past 3:00 am. I took my flashlight and checked the rows of the sunflower garden. So far, so good as no more digging. A little later, around 3:40 am, Boots the cat got up and headed for the patio. I followed her with my flashlight. Yep! The critter had returned. This time, it dug up about the same amount of area, but it was the second row!

Once again, I put on my rubber gloves and gently reburied all those little seedlings. And, I thought to myself, "boy oh boy, I sure can't handle this every morning!" I'm not sure what critter is doing all this digging, but I am guessing it is either a raccoon or opossum as I've seen both at my back door over the years.

Well, there were no diggings on March 24th or March 25th. However, on the morning of March 26th, I saw a small area of the second row had been hit again. Check out a few more pictures of more diggings.

Sunflower Seedlings in the Four Rows ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

There's a view of the four rows of sunflower seedlings on the morning of the 12th day. The row on the far right was the last row in which I planted the sunflower seeds. It seems to have the most seedlings emerging. Since the seedlings started to emerge, I've been keeping the garden rows moist, which means one watering can per row three times per day.

SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS IN A CLUMP!

Sunflower Seedlings in a Clump #1 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

Sunflower Seedlings in a Clump #2 ~ JaguarJulie
Photo Taken: March 26, 2014

See those two last pictures of the sunflower seedlings in a "clump?" That means there are way too many seedlings coming up in the same area. If the critter continues to dig in my sunflower garden, I may not need to worry about separating those seedlings once they get bigger.

I have to tell you that I have too many little seedlings in one area because I deliberately planted more seeds in the rows. You see, in The Sunflower Project, I had distributed hundreds of my harvested sunflower seeds to participants. However, I only heard back from ONE participant, Lynda, that she was able to grow sunflowers from my seeds.

This year, I gave a few packets of sunflower seeds to Nelson at Baileys Powerhouse Gym. Chatting with him this morning, he also said that he is going to have to cull out the seedlings once they get bigger because he was seeing about 2 dozen in a small area.

It sure is heartwarming and very satisfying to plant sunflower seeds in the garden and watch them emerge as little sunflower seedlings. Have you tried a sunflower garden for yourself? I'd love to hear about it! P.S. Did you see my previous blog post about Planting My Second Sunflower Garden?

The Last Sunflower of Summer

It was precisely six months ago today that I started my sunflower garden from seed - on March 2, 2013. Here we are, September 2, 2013 and I am celebrating the last sunflower of Summer! I can't tell you what a pleasant surprise it was to look out my Florida room window to see something emerging in the sunflower garden. At first, I was sure it was a weed!

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed August 20, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Upon a closer inspection, it was obviously a sunflower plant. I've been battling a host of weeds throughout my yard and gardens this year because of all the rain. And, because there have been several gatherings of morning doves in my back yard over these Summer months.

The Last Sunflower of Summer with Sunflower Garden Stake
Photographed August 20, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

After I leveled my previous sunflower garden, I didn't plant any more of the sunflower seeds. What's curious, where this sunflower is emerging, were the yellow sunflower plants which were the shortest of the entire garden. It's cool to see that one last sunflower seed is emerging as a plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 2, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Check out that sunflower plant - it is over 2 feet tall by Labor Day. It sure would be cool if this last sunflower actually blooms. You can see that the bugs have found this last plant as there are some holes on the leaves.

The Last Sunflower of Summer in the leveled Sunflower Garden
Photographed September 2, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Compare this last picture with the other pictures of my Sunflower Plants Prospering in the Ground. To the left of the yard, you can see the Mexican Petunias in bloom before the purple showers. The sky is quite inspiring with the various shades of white and blue.

Perhaps the most joyous experience I had this past year has been my sunflower garden. I literally took over a thousand photographs and blogged about the sunflower journey in a number of posts. Come along and experience this inspirational journey with me. From start to finish:

• Planting a Flower Garden From Scratch
• Starting Sunflower Seeds for a Flower Garden
• Nurturing Sunflower Seedlings for a Flower Garden
• Planting Sunflower Seedlings in the Ground
• Sunflower Plants Prospering in the Ground
• My Sunflower Blossoms are Blooming
• Celebrate the Sunflower Buds and Backs
• Colorful Autumn Beauty Sunflower Pictures
• Insects and Critters in my Sunflower Garden
• Drying Sunflower Heads for Seeds
• Harvesting Sunflower Seeds from the Heads
• My 7 Foot Sunflower Garden
• The Sunflower Project : Free Seeds and Paying it Forward
• Hummingbird in My Sunflower Garden
• Autumn Beauty Sunflower Pictures
• Pretty Yellow Sunflower Blossoms
• Dance of the Dragonfly
• Sunflowers in a Vase
• Final Sunflowers of Summer

The Sunflower Project

The Sunflower Project by JaguarJulie Ann Brady
Plant these seeds and then pay it forward!

Just today, I heard from one of the participants in The Sunflower Project. Lynda Makara received a free packet of sunflower seeds at the start of this project. To document her sunflower garden, she wrote a Zujava leaf, The Sunflower Project: Sunflower Seed Giveaway. I have given out literally thousands of free sunflower seeds to dozens of participants across the United States. It was great to hear that Lynda had such success with her sunflower garden.

I will be continuing The Sunflower Project into 2014. If you are interested in participating, just let me know! You can add a comment on The Sunflower Project.

For me, all those six months ago, it all started with a few packets of Burpee Sunflower Seeds and Jiffy 5032 Professional Greenhouse 25-Plant Starter Kit! Now I feel like a professional. And, more joyous and inspired. You too can be original and authentic by growing your own sunflowers from seeds. It will surely inspire you.

Tracking The Last Sunflower of Summer

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 6, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Only 4 days later from the picture in my original blog post -- the sunflower plant is looking quite healthy in its growth pattern. Already the leaf bugs have been busy; although, I have yet to photograph another insect on this plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 10, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

And, here it is another 4 days later and the sunflower plant is growing heartily. It's been rather warm and humid here in Jacksonville, Florida. The rain hasn't been as plentiful as earlier in the sunflower growing season.

The Last Sunflower of Summer
Photographed September 15, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

We could see the healthy sunflower bud on September 15th. This sunflower plant is really growing!! I wasn't sure if the blossom was going to be a traditional yellow sunflower or the richer colored Autumn Beauty. This particular sunflower plant has got a lot of buds up and down the stem!

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Close-up on the Sunflower Bud
Photographed September 16, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Drumroll for the first sunflower blossom on the last sunflower of summer! The sunflower blossom first opened on September 17, 2013.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty
Photographed September 17, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Measuring the last Autumn Beauty sunflower of summer, it reached a height of some 52 inches on September 17th! So, at 4 feet 4 inches, it blossomed! I seriously can't wait to see the other buds on the stem blossom.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty
Photographed September 17, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

What a remarkable experience! As I said previously, this sunflower journey all started with a few packets of Burpee Sunflower Seeds and Jiffy 5032 Professional Greenhouse 25-Plant Starter Kit! If you haven't tried your own sunflower garden, may I recommend that you try it some day?

Close-Up on the Sunflower Blossoms

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 18, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

It is so remarkable how vivid the colors are on the Autumn Beauty sunflower blossom. I think of this blossom like a sunburst of color with very Fall or Autumn colors; hence, the name Autumn Beauty!

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The morning of September 19th, when I photographed the final sunflower plant, I was amazed at the number of buds all up and down the stem. In the photo above, you get a glimpse at the buds near the top of the plant. There is one bud directly behind the large sunflower blossom on top. Would you believe? I counted at least twenty [20] different sunflower buds on this one plant! The buds are in a variety of sizes with the larger buds near the top of the plant. Mother Nature has done a marvelous job with this sunflower plant.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 19, 2013 6pm by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

I just couldn't resist to take another picture of the pretty sunflower blossom at 6pm EST September 19th. We had a bit of rain earlier in the day; however, you can see the pretty blue sky dotted with some white clouds.

The Last Sunflower of Summer : Autumn Beauty Sunflower Blossom
Photographed September 20, 2013 8am by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The morning of September 20th, I was thrilled to see 4 Autumn Beauty Sunflower blossoms. One of the blossoms is attached to the back of the large blossom. I did another count of the buds and counted twenty-one [21].

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

I had the opportunity to experience more sunflowers in a vase thanks to a little extra rain that caused the top sunflower blossoms to bow. Not wanting the sunflower plant to fall over from the weight of the flowers, I cut the top off. What a great photo opportunity.

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

Last Sunflowers of Summer in a Vase

Ah, just like a well-known work of art - and maybe better! It's pretty tough to find such a pretty artsy vase as mine. However! I was searching around Amazon and found a really pretty sunflower vase. It's Deruta Italian Ceramic Vase of Sunflowers! With that vase, you can experience sunflowers year-around!

PS Do not steal my copyrighted images please! Take your own photographs for a change. I put a lot of hard work into growing sunflowers and photographing them. Not cool to steal other people's work; you know??

The Sunflower Project : Free Seeds and Paying it Forward

I am using this blog post to officially launch The Sunflower Project, a "Paying it Forward" kind of effort. The project is originating in Jacksonville, Florida and looking to connect with my readership base throughout the United States of America. In the beginning, I started with a few packets of Burpee's Sunflower Seeds. I mapped out an area in my backyard for a sunflower garden. That was the germination for The Sunflower Project.

Pretty Warm Sunflowers in a Vase - Sunflowers from My Garden
Photo taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Now, the emphasis is on continuing the germination. In a nutshell, The Sunflower Project begins with packets of free sunflower seeds which are sent out to those who will be participating in the project. Once the sunflower seeds are received, they are planted and their growth is charted.

When the sunflowers are fully grown, the participants will harvest their own sunflower seeds. And, those sunflower seeds will then be passed on to new participants in The Sunflower Project.

The "paying it forward" will continue on from participant to participant sending on their harvested sunflower seeds.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds from the First Sunflower Head
Photo taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Recently, I have been harvesting sunflower seeds from several of my dried sunflower heads. I will be preparing the seed packets for shipping out to participants by the end of June 2013.

We would hope to see the participants being inspired to write about their experiences and share their own sunflower photos along the way.

Are you interested in participating? The first step is to indicate your interest by leaving a comment on this blog post. We will then be working to get your contact information, along with mailing address.

Do you have a green or yellow thumb? Have you ever grown sunflowers before? Want to get involved in this project?

P.S. After you have added your comment here on this blog post that you want to participate, please send me your full shipping information.

Working on The Sunflower Project

The first full day of The Sunflower Project, we had 4 early adopters who signed up right out of the gate: Kyra, Rachelle, Casey, and Carolan. Day two, four more participants signed up; Cris, Lynda, Tony and Charity. Eight packets of seeds have been dispatched to the participants.

Day three brought in two more expert flower gardeners, Debbie and Lillian. Don't be left behind. I have got a gazillion sunflower seeds already harvested. Not ready to put them in a bird feeder. Get your free seeds now.

Three Sunflower Seed Packets from The Sunflower Project
Photo taken June 12, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Last night, I was up until just short of Midnight harvesting the seeds from all the sunflower heads that I have been drying. Take a look at all those seeds! I have already filled 9 seed packets from the first couple of dried heads; now I have a lot more seed packets to prepare.

An assortment of sunflower seeds harvested from the blossom heads
Photo taken on June 13, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Isn't it remarkable how much difference there are in those seeds? In the little piles on the two trays above, each of those piles represent one sunflower head's seeds! I worked on 18 sunflower heads to gather their seeds! My next step is to create the little seed packets and fill them with these seeds.

I've written about the largest sunflower head from my garden in a previous blog post. It weighed over 8 ounces. You can see the seeds I extracted from that head in the above picture, top tray, far upper left pile. That's a lot of seeds! I've also got a variety of colors in those seeds, not just the typical black. There are white seeds, tan seeds, brown seeds, and black seeds.

I wonder just how many sunflower seeds there are on those two trays?

The Sunflower Project
Plant these seeds and then Pay it Forward.
http://jaguarjulie.blogspot.com

Have you signed up to participate in The Sunflower Project yet? Hey! What are you waiting for? An engraved invitation. This is it. Your time is here. Time to plant the seeds. Looking forward to the growing season 2014! I have a plethora of sunflower seeds prepared to distribute before the next season. All you have to do is sign up and let me know you'd like to participate.

The Sunflower Project Blooms!

Labor Day, September 2, 2013: I have heard from one of The Sunflower Project participants, Lynda Makara! Oh my, but she did a fabulous "job" with her free packet of sunflower seeds. She has written a Zujava leaf, The Sunflower Project: Sunflower Seed Giveaway, which is quite remarkable! Honestly, I am so inspired by the beautiful backdrop she had for her sunflower garden. She is obviously a talented painter too as you should see her sunflower painting. Thanks Lynda for making this such an inspirational and joyous experience!

 PS Please do not steal my original images and written content. Be authentic and original. Be yourself and stop trying to be me. You know?