I grew lots of sunflowers this summer. Mammoth ones and small ones. I grew them because they’re such happy flowers. I don’t think anyone could not smile when seeing a sunflower. But I also grew them to use in my fall decorating (and for seeds for the birds and little critters).
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Last year I went to a farmer’s market where someone had shellacked the heads to sell for indoor decoration. I didn’t shellac mine since I want to use the seeds later for the birds (no one likes sunflower seeds here so we don’t grow to eat them – but you could).
I just love the mix of sunflower heads with some hydrangeas from my garden. Homegrown decorations!
The farmer’s market also sold mini pumpkins and decorative gourds for decoration. Also shellacked – I guess the shellacking helps preserve them. This was one of two that I grew this year. It was not a good year for my pumpkins. Last year I grew a lot of mini ones which I find easier to grow in my Georgia climate than the big ones.
The two-tier wire basket is from Goodwill – $5.95. It looks brand new! I’ve gotten a couple of really nice things at Goodwill lately. Mostly I try to stay out of there because there’s always something I could bring home:)
I’m blessed with thrift stores that are generally really good. They are my #1 budget decorating option since I don’t go to garage sales.
A package or two of sunflower seeds costs under a $1.00 (I got mine at Dollar General and I think they were 10 cents each). That’s a lot of bang for a few cents.
In a few weeks I’ll take the seeds out or maybe I’ll just lay the heads outside for the birds.
I just think the heads are so gorgeous!
What a wonderful idea! I love sunflowers but have always been itimidated to tryvto grow them because of their height. I guess I will have to get over it and try it next year. Beautiful arrangement & I love the basket !
LOVE that basket! I have got to go look through our Salvation Army and Goodwill stores around here. I know there’s something there that I just HAVE to bring home! LOL!
We used to grow sunflowers as the birds dropped them from the feeders. We just wouldn’t clean up after them and had sunflowers planted naturally. 🙂 I love to watch goldfinches eating from the sunflower heads.
Hi Manuela, How are you? I love your pictures of the dried sunflower heads. I didn’t grow any this year but I have some heads from 2 years ago that I dried. I used them in a bowl (see my recent post) with other fall things on my dining table. I love the bright yellow and black heads of beautiful sunflowers growing against a blue sky don’t you? Have a lovely weekend. Pamela
What a great idea Manuela! I love that look. We didn’t grow sunflowers this year. I bought the seeds and Mr. Comforts said he was planting them this year in a new spot, but never got around to it….
Hi Manuela! Oh, this is so beautiful! Everything you touch turns out lovely!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Very nice! I’ve never thought of bringing in just the seed heads, but I like the look.
You are right. They make lovely Fall decor!
I love the smaller multi flowered sunflowers for
smaller spaces. The Amish grow them quite often around here.
They ARE gorgeous, Manuela! That’s a great idea. I started to say that you should shellac the small ones at least, so that you could use them over and over, but I guess next summer you’ll just plant more sunflower seeds, huh? 🙂
My mother’s family is from Kansas, which is “The Sunflower State.” Seeing sunflowers always makes me think of my grandmother, who was an awesome woman. Actually she was kind of like you–resourceful, strong, intelligent, kind. She was beloved in her community. She died in 1999, and I still miss her.
Thanks for sharing your fall bounty!
We didn’t have any success with our pumpkins this year…but we have a local farm that sells them for $1.00 a pumpkin, any size.
I love sunflowers too, I’ve never grown them but want to try them this next year. I like the idea of having seed for the birds and also for decoration.
Lovely!
Deanna
Maybe you can rig up an outdoor wreath with the sunflower heads and let the birds eat at will. My closest Goodwill is over an hour away…down the mountain and through the woods. However, when I do venture out, Goodwill is always on my list.
Love the tiered basket you found, Manuela! Such a great piece to display your Fall arrangements and it will come in handy for so many future ideas. We used to have a lot of farm land surrounding our development and a few years they planted sunflowers. It was so beautiful – a sea of sunflowers. It was so striking that people would pull over to the side of the road to take pictures.
That looks so pretty.
The two- tiered basket is a nice touch adding height to the table.
Your dining room looks pretty– I love the yellow!
I bet the bird would love those seeds when you’re finished with them
have a great day– Pat
I have big sunflower heads, too, that I’ve just been saving… hmmm… you’ve given me some good ideas! Thanks!
The sunflower seed heads are beautiful and I like how you arranged them. Love your two tier basket ~ I’m a big fan of Goodwill too, can’t seem to stay out of that place!
Oh I so agree. Love sunflowers and the heads are fabulous. Beautiful display. Hugs, marty
Lovely idea! I like the burlap runner with it.
I like your all-natural centerpiece. I just put some fake leaves in a basket near the front door and I just don’t like it. I like “real” and not much else. I think I’ll go pick the sunflowers in my backyard and around the place and I’ll be much happier. Thanks for the inspiration!
Jody
How pretty! I also love digging through thrift stores & im a big fan of DG shopping 🙂 Who says you have to spend a ton of money to have a beautiful home? Not me 🙂 Have a great day!
A beautiful use of nature – outside, inside and feeding the birds!
They are beautiful. I’m planning on growing some next year – I really love them.
xo
Claudia
They’re great! So much wonderful texture- you sure can’t get that from a man-made item.
Gorgeous! I just love sunflowers and what you have done them is awesome! Have a blessed, cooler week, HUGS!
Love how you used the sunflower heads in your decor! I also love that two-tier basket you got from GW. As you probably know from my blog, I’m a huge GW fan and I’m always finding “goodies” from there, too. You are such a good girl to not go in there often, lol.
Also, I am drooling over your dining room – I love the yellow and black combination and then the collection of white on the little black cabinet in the corner.
So pretty and how wonderful to use all the bounty from your own garden xoxo Clarice