How to Fertilize Sunflower Plants

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Sunflowers need nutrients to grow. The plant obtains nutrients from the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. These ingredients are necessary to promote good foliage, flower growth and strong roots. Sunflower plants growing in poor soil lack these essentials. Gardeners need to beef up the soil with fertilizer. Not much time or effort is involved in the process.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Understand how fertilizers are rated. Three numbers located on the bag represent the percentage amount of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium in the mix. A label of 10-15-10 is good to start with in the early spring.

Step2

Go to a garden supply store and purchase the fertilizer when you are ready to plant. A salesperson will help you determine the needed amount based on the area or the number of sunflowers you expect to grow.

Step3

Still fertilize even if you previously planted the seeds and the plants are already pushing through the ground.

Step4

Work the fertilizer into the soil two inches away from the plant or where you planted the seed. If the seed is not yet in the ground place some fertilizer two inches below the seed bed. Don’t place the fertilizer with the sunflower seeds.

Step5

Apply the same method to larger rows of sunflower seeds or plants. Always allow two inches from the growing area. Form a band of fertilizer on each side of the row.

Step6

Water the area as needed.

Step7

Apply additional phosphorus and potassium on the surface either in the spring or fall. Use a broadcast spreader for this. Read the directions for proper setting.