Thanks for your helpful advice. I will try doing it and if some issue occurs I will ask you definitelymarshallsmyth said:Yep, I'd think some parts of Orange County California have very few freezes. I went to college near there at Whittier. You might get a January frost spell down there. So You could try a few sunflower seeds in the ground now, especially near the south side of a fence or wall. Might want to lay some plastic over the seedbed if you are having a cool spell down there, until they sprout. Even if you do have a frost spell you'll still get some nice plants, and some experience with your weather. Oh yes, if you are in a spot that gets those Santa Ana winds, make sure you have a corral for those sunflowers. At least 4 stakes deep in the ground, a good 6 feet up, and plenty of twine for them as they grow.