Sowing and spacing

Sow direct after last frost, 2–3 cm deep, in their final position. Sunflowers hate root disturbance — pots only if you'll transplant carefully at the 2-leaf stage, ideally from biodegradable pots that can be planted whole.

Single giants need 60 cm space; branching cutting types want 25–30 cm. Successional sow every 2–3 weeks from May until early July for a long picking season — that single sowing gives you a 3-day blast; staggered sowings give 8 weeks of flowers.

Soak seeds overnight before sowing if your soil is dry — they'll be up in 5–7 days rather than 10–14.