Grow your own specialty sunflowers this summer, 2026!
Over the course of three months, you will plant three different varieties as you practice the rhythm of succession planting. (planting flowers throughout the season to enjoy them each month).
Experience the magic of germinating seeds, watching growth, and seeing petals unfold into blooms this summer.
How this works...The third Saturdays of May, June, AND July you will pick up your bag from our flower booth at the Farmers Market. Inside you will find an information card about the sunflower variety for that month with a real picture on the front and your packet of 20 seeds. Plant your seeds each month at your convenience. When you pick up your last bag/variety in July you will find a certificate of completing Project: Grow 2026 inside!
Pick-up at our flower booth, between 8am-12noon at: New Albany Farmer's Market, 202 E Market Street, New Albany, IN 47150
Seed Pick-Up Schedule:
- May 16th - pick up Red Lemon Sunflower Seeds
- June 20th - pick up Greenburst Sunflower Seeds
- July 18th - pick up White Lite Sunflower Seeds
- Bags include: 20 seeds, variety info + picture + tiny plant marker. You will plant a total of 60 seeds over the course of May, June & July.
What you need for this project:
- You need your own flower pots with soil, or raised garden bed, window box, or tilled in-ground area.
- Access to a watering can or a hose with a nozzle that creates gentle spray (you don't want to wash seeds away after planting, just keep soil damp.
- 3-5 minutes in the evening and morning to water the first week of planting.
- Time to drive to the market three times total to pick-up your seeds. (Choose the mailed option if this doesn't work for you.)
Sunflowers can be planted as close as 4", so not much space is needed. Keep in mind you do not need to plant all 20 seeds if you run out of room.
The Uniqueness of this sunflower growing journey is in the special varieties, the succession planting throughout the summer months, and the fact that you can ask us questions in person at the market or via email!
Note from Katie: I feel like seed companies and nurseries never tell you "Things might not turn out the way you expect." Based on personal experience though I want to stress to you...all these seeds are viable, but there is no guarantee of your personal results unless you decide to measure success as "trying something new" and "learning from everything!" It's possible they may not all germinate for you, a bird may eat half your seedlings, the squirrels might nibble your buds before they open...I have had ALL these happen to me, but then you can get creative/strategic for the next month's planting. Even if your results aren't what you hoped it will be worth it...because you will have planned and hoped, dug in the soil on a sunny day, watered and cared for seeds, run outside to check on them so many more times than you would normally have gone outside. It will be worth it!