When you find sunflowers that seem to have been chewed and have fallen over, usually cut worms are to blame. However, if there were flowers and seeds forming, a squirrel might have taken matters into hos own hands to bring the treat down to his level. Were there flowers and were they eaten? Linda C

Here are some good tips for growing sunflowers from my personal knowlege and from some research: Try planting them 1-3.5in into the soil if you are using a large container or not using a container at all, however if you are planting them in a small container then I reccomend 1-2cm deep. Do a soil pH test, the ideal pH for sunflowers is 5.0-7.0, to raise the pH of the soil, use wood ash to lower it use coffee grounds. Here is a link with a chart for plants and recommended pH levels: http://www.eutechinst.com/tips/ph/15_soil_ph.pdf Good Luck! ~Lindsey:) Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/sunflower.html

Last year my dogs were running through my gardens and wrecking them, and grazing on things too. Like Sierra said, I was able to teach them to stay out with boundaries. It helped, especially with the puppy, to put up some of that cheap metal folding fence from HD (I got a semi-fancy bronze looking one). It would never keep them out, they can go right over, but it reminds them visually. I have a lot of different flower beds and they would forget even when they were trying to be good.

Use a pre-emergent like corn gluten meal or Preen. These prevent seeds either from germinating or developing a root system if they do germinate but have no effect on established plants like your shrubs or perennials. Mulching will help also but IME, you need a pretty thick mulch to deter sunflower seedlings.