Spacing for sunflowers depends on the variety you're growing and the desired bloom size

. Dwarf varieties need about 12 inches (30 cm) of space, while taller, multi- branching sunflowers need as much as 3 feet (1 meter)

. For single-stem sunflowers, plant seeds 4 to 9 inches apart

. Closer spacing yields smaller blooms, which is good for bouquets

. Wider spacing produces larger blooms

. Consider these factors for successful sunflower planting:

• Timing Plant sunflower seeds from late spring to early summer

. You can sow seeds as late as mid-June, keeping in mind that they take up to 18 weeks to flower

• Direct sowing Poke a hole with your finger, drop in two seeds, and cover the hole. Once the seeds germinate, thin to one plant per hole

• Starting indoors If you have problems with birds or squirrels, start seeds indoors and transplant them in less than 2 weeks

• Soil Sunflowers grow best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5

. Add compost before planting

• Sunlight Plant sunflowers in a sunny spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily

• Water Sunflowers like moisture to germinate, so water well

• Thinning If plants are crowded, thin them out to about 18 inches (45 cm) apart, leaving the strongest plants