I've grown them on the east side of my house and they did fine. Watch out for slugs and rabbits while they are sprouting.

tj

All you can do is try. Beware of the bunnies, deer, groundhogs, woodchucks and squirrels. They all love to munch sunflowers. So, starting them first in a large container, like a 2 liter bottle, to let them get bigger and less enticing to the munchers can really save some grief. They might still get munched, but at least you did what you could. Some repellant sprays work quite well, I hear.

in the garden ... even failure is a learning tool ... go for it ...

be nice to know where you are.. if you want more precise info ... its 4 to 6 weeks early.. in my MI for planting outdoors ...

as to shade ... its a variable concept ... bright shade is as good as sun ... a dark grotto is not ...

the question might be... are there overhanging trees on that side ....

ken

Thanks folks. After talking to a gardening friend, I plan to start them indoors. So hopefully won't get too bothered by pests. We have some small critters around but we have kids and dogs so hopefully they stay away.

BTW I thought I had my location info in my profile but I guess it doesn't show up. I am in MA on the NH border, zone 6a or so.

do not get all excited and start too soon ... they grow very fast .. and nothing is worse.. than they getting too ratty indoors before you can get them safely outdoors ...

one way to make it fun ... plant two seed .. every week ... so if the first end up too soon.. sooner or later ... others can go outside ..

and save a few.. to plant directly outside ...

by the time you do that.. you will have learned a lot ...

ken

Oh Ken my 5 year old will be heartbroken that she can't plant them now. Way to ruin a little girls dreams! Lol just kidding. We'll do a few here and there and see how that goes. Thanks!

Full sun can be as little as 6 hours a day. If you have that, even in the early morning until noon-ish, it should be OK.

You can also plant it in a pot on west side, maybe.

And there are other varieties of sunflowers, too. Some smaller versions may fit on west side in pots.

will be heartbroken that she can't plant them now.

==>>> then let her plant them ... something will be learned ... lol

and they are cheap as heck ... you can get more

btw .. you asked how you should do it ... not her ...

all in fun ...

ken