Although I’ve been gardening for a few years, I have never grown sunflowers.  I don’t really have a reason as to why I haven’t grown them before.  But gosh, now I know what I’ve been missing!

I’m growing these sunflowers to cover my bathroom window.  It took me a while to feel comfortable taking a shower in there with the window open for ventilation, but now I figure with all the things we have growing on and around the fences, nobody can see into my shower.

But for good measure…I decided to use sunflowers as a living screen.  I get to look at beautiful green foliage and flowers while luxuriating in my (low flow) shower, the insects get something wonderful to feast on, the neighborhood can view the sunflowers peeking over the fence, and I can have privacy in my shower.

I had to start sunflowers a few times this year - the first couple rounds got sapped by unexpected (and unseasonably) cold weather.  Once they took hold, they raced towards the sky!

I’ve planted a Harlequin mix - some are really tiny dwarf sunflowers, and some are larger (those ones will cover the window).

Is there anything you’ve tried for the first time this year?

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