Growing sunflowers from Pennsylvania in Arizona

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It's October 21st, and I just received some sunflower seeds from a friend in Pennsylvania. Their season is ending and the season for planting here in Arizona is just beginning, and I'm kinda wondering if the seeds are wondering what's going on? It's spring again already?

If you're new to the Phoenix, Arizona area, and are from back east it must seem kinda strange that fall and winter is our flower season, but it is. By springtime it will start to get so hot here that the flowers will die, and of course back east the season is just beginning. 

Sunflowers growing in Peoria, Arizona, about a mile from where I live

I've seen sunflowers blooming around my neighborhood of Glendale, which is a suburb of Phoenix, in the winter, and although I've never grown them I understand that they're easy to grow. I guess I'll find out - I learn best by doing!

The seeds arrived safely, and it's my understanding that they were still connected to the spent flower (I don't know what that's called) and during transit they mostly all shook out. There's a lot!

The seeds arrived safe and sound!

Sunflower seeds

I poured the seeds out into a bowl, and I figure that there are enough seeds to cover all of Glendale. But I'd imagine that if you just tossed them out randomly they wouldn't stand much of a chance, either being eaten by grackles or just not having enough moisture to get a good start. Some might! But my plan is to give them a chance, and plant them fairly densely. I've decided to plant them along the edges of my pots on the patio next to the tiki bar.

A bowlful of sunflower seeds!

I've marked where the seeds are planted with little sticks.

They get to be very large plants when they're full-grown, so I don't know how this is going to play out. I'll let you know how it goes.

Update: October 24th - The life cycle begins again:

Sunflower seed beginning to sprout

Update: October 28th - sprout with seed leaves:

Sunflower sprout with seed leaves

Update: November 1st - I noticed that the grackles were digging up the seedlings, so here in the front yard I've added some temporary protection - an old pasta strainer that I had sitting in the garage:

An old colander protecting sunflower sprouts

Thank you for the encouragement! If you want to see daily pics of my adventures on my recumbent trike in suburban Phoenix (just for fun, of course!) you can follow me on buymeacoffee.com/bradhall, and you can buy me a coffee if you'd like to!

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