Build a sunflower fort that’s fun for kids and adults. Learn how to create your own backyard oasis with these easy steps.
There are several great ways to involve your kids in gardening, why not try growing a sunflower fort in your garden! Sunflowers are not only easy to grow, but they can also provide an exciting retreat for children.
Imagine your little ones playing inside a magical tower of tall sunflowers, surrounded by bright yellow petals and buzzing bees.
To create a sunflower fort, you will need to follow some simple steps. First, you’ll need to plant the sunflower seeds in the right location and soil type. Then, you’ll need to care for them as they grow into towering plants that form the walls of your fort.
Companion plants can be added around the base of the sunflowers to help with pest control and improve soil health. Your family can enjoy this beautiful space all summer long with proper care and attention.
In this article, we will guide you through each step of creating a stunning sunflower fort that is sure to delight both young and old alike!
Key Takeaways
– Sunflowers are large flowering plants that produce seeds and love facing the sun.
– A sunflower house or fort can be built using sunflower seeds, wooden trellis post boards, and rich garden soil or fertilizer.
– Morning glory seeds can be planted to add flowery color to the sunflower house or fort, and short grass or other creeping plants can create a garden “carpet” inside.
– Sunflowers attract birds and bees and can be harvested at season’s end for nutritious snacks or for making DIY bouquets.
Why Make a Sunflower Fort
Benefits of Sunflowers:
– Colorful and can brighten up gloomy days
– Great for birds
– Healthy kernels can be eaten
– Easy to grow in warm temperatures
– Takes 7-12 weeks to fully grow
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your kids this summer, why not create a sunflower fort? A sunflower fort can be perfect for your children to play and explore. The giant sunflowers will provide an excellent natural wall that can be used as a secret hideout or cozy reading nook.
Creating a sunflower fort is easy and requires only a few simple steps. First, lay out the shape of the fort using a garden hose or rope. Next, remove the sod from the new planting area and mix in organic matter with a shovel. Finally, plant giant 10-15 inch sunflower varieties like Kong, Mammoth, or Grey Stripe directly outside once air and soil have warmed up.
Not only is creating a sunflower fort an exciting project for children, but it also has many benefits for both them and wildlife. Scarlet runner beans or morning glory can be planted in between the sunflowers to help fill in walls of flowers. This provides food and habitat for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
How to Plant a Sunflower Fort
To make a sunflower fort, you’ll need giant sunflower seeds like Kong, Mammoth, or Grey Stripe, scarlet runner beans or morning glory seeds, a garden hose or rope to lay out the fort shape, and organic matter to mix in with your soil.
Once you’ve removed the sod and prepared your planting area, space the sunflower seeds 8-12 inches apart and plant scarlet runner beans or morning glory in between.
Keep your seeds watered, and watch as the walls of your sunflower fort grow tall!
Material you Need to Make a Sunflower Fort
For building a sunflower fort, you’ll need tall sunflower seeds like Kong or Grey Stripe that can grow up to 10-15 feet tall. These varieties are perfect for providing the structure of your fort.
Scarlet runner beans or morning glory can be planted between the sunflowers to fill the walls with beautiful flowers. Scarlet runner beans are especially helpful for this purpose as they’re vigorous growers and produce colorful blooms. Soak morning glory seeds overnight before planting to help speed up germination.
Before planting, it’s important to mix organic matter into the soil with a shovel. This will provide nutrients for the plants and improve soil drainage.
Once air and soil have warmed, plant sunflower seeds directly outside about 8-12 inches apart from each other. Water seeds regularly and keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. After several weeks, water seedlings deeply once a week so they can continue growing strong and healthy.
With time, you’ll see walls of beautiful sunflowers growing taller every day, creating a magical space for kids to play in!
Instructions to Make a Sunflower Fort
Building a sunflower fort requires planting tall sunflower seeds, such as Kong or Grey Stripe, with scarlet runner beans or morning glory to fill in the walls.
Start by laying out the shape of the fort using a garden hose or rope. Remove any sod from the area and mix in organic matter with a shovel to enrich the soil.
Next, plant sunflower seeds directly outside once the air and soil have warmed up. Space them 8-12 inches apart and water them daily to keep the soil moist.
Plant scarlet runner beans or morning glory in between the sunflowers to help fill in the wall of flowers. Soak morning glory seeds overnight before planting them, and water seedlings deeply once a week after several weeks.
Growing Sunflowers
To grow healthy sunflowers, you need to pay attention to the soil conditions. Make sure to plant your sunflower seeds in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
When watering your sunflowers, be sure to give them consistent moisture while avoiding overwatering and watering during the middle of the day.
To plant sunflower seeds, create a hole about 1 inch deep and place one seed per hole. Cover it with soil and gently press down on top of it.
Remember, proper soil conditions and watering are key to growing healthy sunflowers!
Soil Requirements for Sunflowers
You’ll want to make sure your garden soil is rich and fertile for those sunflowers to really thrive and bring joy to your backyard oasis. Sunflowers are heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients to grow tall and strong. Therefore, it’s important to have good-quality soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure.
Additionally, sunflowers prefer soil that drains well but also retains moisture. This can be achieved by adding vermiculite or perlite to the soil mix. It’s also important not to overwater sunflowers as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
By providing optimal growing conditions for your sunflowers, you’ll be rewarded with healthy plants that produce beautiful blooms and tasty seeds at the end of the season.
Watering your Sunflowers
Make sure your sunflowers are getting enough water by watering them deeply once a week, being careful not to overwater and cause root rot. Sunflowers don’t need a lot of water, but they do require consistent moisture in order to grow healthy and strong.
The best time to water sunflowers is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun isn’t as hot. Watering during the middle of the day can cause water droplets on leaves to act like tiny magnifying glasses, which can burn and damage the plant.
When watering sunflowers, make sure to soak the soil deeply around each plant rather than just sprinkling a little bit of water on top. This will encourage roots to grow deep into the ground, where they’ll be able to access more nutrients and moisture.
If you notice that your soil is drying out too quickly or if you live in an area with very little rainfall, consider using mulch around your sunflowers or installing drip irrigation lines to help keep them hydrated throughout their growing season.
How to Plant Sunflower Seeds
Water deeply once a week and provide consistent moisture to help sunflower seeds grow into healthy plants. Before planting, make sure the soil is moist and well-drained. Sunflowers prefer full sun, so choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day.
To plant the seeds:
- Make a hole in the soil about one inch deep and drop the seed in.
- Cover it with soil and gently press down to ensure good contact between the seed and soil.
- Space seeds 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety, as larger varieties need more space to grow.
Water immediately after planting and continue to water every day until seedlings emerge. Once they do, reduce watering to once a week, but make sure to water deeply each time to encourage strong root growth.
With proper watering and care, your sunflower seeds will soon sprout into tall, majestic plants that will brighten your garden all summer!
Quick Tips for Planting Your Sunflower Fort
Instructions for Planting a Sunflower House:
– All you need are sunflower seeds
– Choose a flat spot with 6-8 hours of direct sun per day
– Soil should be normal, moist, and well-draining
– House can be any size or shape, but should be at least 8 feet across
– Use sticks or string to mark perimeter
– Clear weeds and grass to form planting bed
– Plant sunflower seeds 6 inches apart and 1 inch deep
– Water seeds daily and keep soil moist
– Mulch around plants to prevent weed growth
– Morning glory seeds can be planted for a roof
– Corn can be planted as a companion plant
– White clover can be planted inside for a soft “carpet”
– Decorate with stone doorstep or small chairs
– Harvest seeds for snacking or for birds
How to Care for Your Sunflower Fort
To ensure your sunflower fort stays healthy and strong, it’s important to regularly remove any weeds or grass that may compete with the sunflowers for nutrients. Use a hoe or hand tool to carefully remove any unwanted plants around the base of the sunflowers.
Mulching can also help keep weeds at bay while retaining moisture in the soil. In addition to weeding, make sure to water your sunflowers deeply once a week after several weeks. Sunflowers are heavy feeders and may benefit from an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer or compost.
Liquid kelp and fish emulsion can also be used as natural fertilizers. As your sunflower fort grows taller, you may need support posts or trellises to prevent them from falling over. You can use wooden trellis post boards to create a sturdy structure for your sunflowers.
Consider planting morning glories alongside your sunflowers to add extra foliage and color on the walls of the fort. Finally, remember to harvest the seeds at season’s end for nutritious snacks or future growth!
Harvesting Your Sunflower Seeds
Congratulations, it’s time for you to reap the rewards of your hard work and harvest those delicious sunflower seeds!
To start the process, wait until the back of the sunflower head has turned brown and dry. Cut off the head using sharp shears or scissors, leaving about 4 inches of stem attached.
Next, remove any loose leaves from around the base of the sunflower head. Place a paper bag over the head and tie it tightly around the stem with a string or rubber band.
Hang upside down in a warm, dry place for several weeks until completely dried out. Once fully dried, rub or shake off any remaining seeds into a bowl.
Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until ready to use for planting next season or as tasty snacks. Remember to save some seeds to share with friends and family so they can enjoy their own home-grown sunflowers too!