The garden notebook

A sunflower begins as a seed. When it has enough water, warmth and air, the seed can germinate. A tiny root grows down and a shoot grows up. The shoot becomes a seedling with its first leaves. As the plant grows, its roots take in water and its stem carries water and supports the plant. Leaves use sunlight, air and water to make food. Later, a mature sunflower makes flowers. After pollination, seeds develop in the flower head. Seeds can be carried away by the wind, water, or animals and may grow into new plants. Sunlight is important for plant growth, but a seed does not need sunlight to begin germinating.