sunflower seeds [100 seeds]

Sunflower Seeds 

• 🌱 Nutrient-rich: Packed with vitamins (E, B1, and folic acid), minerals (magnesium, selenium), and healthy fats.

• 🥜 Tiny but Mighty: The seeds come from the flower of sunflowers, and are a great snack or ingredient for cooking.

• 🌾 Versatile: Can be eaten raw, roasted, or used to make sunflower oil.

• 🍃 Harvesting: After blooming, the seeds grow in the center of the sunflower head and are harvested when the back of the flower turns yellow.  

🌱 Growing Sunflowers:

1. 🌞 Pick a sunny spot: Sunflowers need full sunlight (6-8 hours a day).

2. 🌍 Prepare the soil: Loose, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5 is ideal.

3. 🌾 Plant the seeds: Sow seeds 1-1.5 inches deep, spaced 6-12 inches apart.

4. 💧 Water regularly: Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Water deeply.

5. 🌱 Support for tall varieties: Use stakes for taller sunflower varieties to prevent them from falling.

6. 🌡️ Temperature: Sunflowers grow best in warm temperatures (70-85°F or 21-29°C).

🌿 Care Tips:

1. 🌻 Fertilize lightly: Use a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing phase.

2. 🦋 Encourage pollinators: Sunflowers attract bees and butterflies; let them help!

3. 🌾 Thin out crowded plants: Ensure they’re spaced well to allow air circulation and room for growth.

4. 🍂 Remove dead leaves: Keep the plant clean to prevent pests and diseases.

5. 🦗 Watch for pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and birds (they might eat the seeds).

6. 🌿 Water deeply: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering.

🌻 Harvesting Sunflowers:

1. 🌾 Wait for maturity: The flower head should be fully yellow and the back of the head should turn brown.

2. ✂️ Cut the flower: Use a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving a few inches of stalk.

3. 🌞 Dry the seeds: Hang the sunflower head in a dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks.

4. 🌰 Remove the seeds: Gently rub the sunflower head to release the seed