To grow cucumbers in containers, start with large pots that can support both roots and vines. An 18-inch-diameter pot works well for vigorous cucumber plants. Fill the pot with a high-quality commercial potting mix formulated for use in containers. If you want to make your own mix, combine equal parts potting soil, compost and vermiculite, a mineral that helps retain moisture.

Plant three seeds 1 inch deep in the middle of each container. When seedlings have reached 4 inches tall, thin them to one seedling per container. If you're planting transplants, nursery-grown seedlings typically have more than one seed in the tiny pot.

When choosing the cucumber you want to grow, consider both your gardening space and the use you have in mind. Cucumbers have two different growth habits: bush and vining. Bush varieties are compact and don't require a trellis. They're ideal for growing in containers or small raised beds.

Vining cucumbers produce more fruit, but they require more space than bush varieties. Though some gardeners let vining cucumbers sprawl on the ground, that practice promotes disease.1 Growing vine cucumbers vertically on a trellis or netting helps improve airflow and discourage common fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, which can cause the loss of cucumber leaves meant to shade crisp cucumbers from intense sun.

Cucumbers also come in varieties suited to specific culinary uses. Slicing varieties and pickling varieties are available in both vining and bush types. Slicing varieties have tender skin and soft flesh ideal for fresh eating. Pickling cucumbers have tougher skin and flesh that stands up well when preserved. There are also numerous types of novelty cucumbers, such as the vining lemon cucumber, which grows in the shape and color of a lemon.

For many gardeners, harvesting homegrown cucumbers is a moment they look forward to all season. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy the fresh flavor and satisfying crunch of a cucumber bounty — and share it with family and friends. Attractive cucumber plants can be grown in the ground, in raised beds or in containers. To make the most of your harvest, follow these basics and grow just the right cucumber for your space and culinary plans:

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Few garden pests match the destructive power of Japanese beetles. In their mature form, they decimate gardens, leaving skeletonized leaves and weakened plants behind. In their immature stage, when they're commonly called grubs, they feast on tender grassroots, leaving brown, dying lawns in their wake. Controlling these invasive pests requires action during both stages. Understanding where Japanese beetles came from and where they're headed can help you take back the upper hand.

Botanically speaking, the sunflower family includes annual types that live for a single season and perennials that come back year after year. But the classic, sturdy-stemmed, big-bloomed sunflowers that elevate farm-to-table bouquets are annuals with the botanical name Helianthus annuus. Say "sunflower" to most people, and annuals are the ones that come to mind. Their perennial relatives are pretty, but they don't deliver the big, gorgeous blooms that classic annual sunflowers do.

Sunflowers come in colors and sizes to suit every gardener and garden. Besides the timeless golden flowers, sunflower colors span the spectrum from pale ivory to russet red and nearly black, with centers that range from deep, dark chocolate to mustard yellow.

Some sunflower types offer one flower on each strong stem in a defined bloom time. Others offer branched stems with multiple blooms and extended bloom times. Depending on your tastes, you can choose from dwarf sunflowers ideal for urban balconies to giant sunflowers that tower 15 feet or more. In general, the taller the stalk, the bigger the flower on top.

If you're growing for stunning bouquets, pollen-free types won't drop pollen on your table. (And allergy sufferers in the family will appreciate them, too.) If you're looking to attract pollinators to your garden, only pollen-producing types will do. Not all modern sunflower varieties produce seeds, so if nurturing winter birds is your goal, choose varieties accordingly. And don't worry about kids, cats or dogs; annual sunflowers aren't toxic.1

It's hard to look at a sunflower and not feel happiness take hold. These simple-to-grow beauties are perfect for everyone, from beginners and kids to experienced gardeners. The hardest part of growing sunflowers is deciding which ones to grow. So jump on board, get ready for sunny blooms and follow these basics for sunflower fun:

Sunflower | Description, Uses, & Facts | Britannica | Field of sunflowers on a farm in the Assiniboine River valley near Carberry, Manitoba.

Aywal Sunflower Flower Tall Sungold GMO-Free Seed Price in India ...

The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a species of large annual forb of the daisy family Asteraceae. The common sunflower is harvested for its edible oily seeds which are used in the production of cooking oil, as well as other uses such as food for livestock, bird food, and planting in domestic gardens for aesthetics. Wild plants are known for their multiple flower heads, whereas the domestic sunflower often possesses a single large flower head atop an unbranched stem.