I just read this from an article from Purdue: "In temperate regions, sunflower requires approximately 11 days from planting to emergence, 33 days from emergence to head visible, 27 days from head visible to first anther, 8 days from first to last anther, and 30 days from last anther to maturity. Cultivar differences in maturity are usually associated with changes in vegetative period before the head is visible." Mine already reached its emergence stage, so it looks like I should see the flowers in 2 months. :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Purdue's Article on Sunflower

Go right ahead! As a matter of fact, sunflowers are one of three or four I might reseed all season long. This is also fine for marigolds and balsam impatiens. Otherwise, you get only get one bloom cycle for a short time. These will all grow and bloom very quickly and go on until frost. Let some go to seed and when you're deadheading, pick the seedheads, sprinkle them around and it'll keep on going.

Good morning! I probably planted 15-20. At least 10 sprouted over an area of 14'x 3ish'.

I'm going out on a limb here, since I live on the other side of the puddle, but over the past few years I have found that one has to rely on instinct more than the instructions given on the packet as to when to plant out. 'Seasons', as such don't seem to exist anymore... we've had November days that were up into the 70's, and yet have had to turn on the heating in the house in late May. Summer flooding has become a real problem in parts of the UK, and last February we had snow in this area for the first time since 2003. Growing has become a lottery unless you are using a glasshouse, and every year brings the question of "what might actually produce a crop?". My pear tree hasn't fruited well in this millenium, last year we had a meagre plum crop ( nothing the year before )... runner beans did well, but tomatoes were a waste of time! I'm glad I'm starting to lose my hair otherwise I'd be tearing it out! :-)