I have a newly (less than one month) established urban garden still slowly being populated with annuals, perennials and groundcovers. Being in San Francisco, I thought it might not be too late to plant some sunflower seeds since our sunniest days are just about to start. It would be nice to have something going until I figured out what else go in the bare spots. And I thought what would I have to loose if they don't grow, right?

So I planted half a packet of the giant russian mammoths - this being the first time I planted sunflowers, I wanted the biggest ones! I've put the seeds in those bare spots between new plants - most are 12-24" apart. In less than ten days, most have sprouted and looking strong.

Now I'm reading all about sunflowers online and seeing how strong and big they have grown in such a short time, I'm worried that if they do continue on this growing trend, what it will do to the nearby plants. Are they going cut off all the sunlight for the sun loving plants? Are they going to suck up all the water and nutrients and left nothing for the little plants around them? Should I pull them all out and move a few to a pot to give other plants a better chance? This is the first time I grow them and I had never seen anything grown as fast as these! Other plants I've got going in the same area are hydrangea, sweet peas, iris and cannas. Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks!