We are running this year with a prize for the tallest sunflower A Sunflower Competition. 
All you have to do is register for the competition with a suggested donation of £1 per entry and we’ll supply you with seeds pots and compost to get you started.
All you have to do is grow the sunflower at school or at home and obtain sponsorship from friends and family for each centimetre.
They are easy to grow and all the instructions are provided.
Don’t forget to get the sunflower measured and collect in your sponsorship and we want your photos.
Remember you need to plant the seeds by the end of March (indoors) or April (Outdoors)
Just email us for more info
When can I sow my seeds?
For best results sow under glass from March onwards or sow direct into the ground from April onwards.
How do I sow my seeds under glass?
Use a well drained multi-purpose compost either peat or soil based to fill your tray or pot until 2cm (half an inch) from the top and firm, sow seeds and then cover with compost and water well. Place tray or pot in propagator or use the bag provided to cover the pot and seeds will germinate in about 14 days, once they have two or three leaves prick out into 9cm pots or reasonably large multi cell trays again using multipurpose compost. Plants can then be hardened off in a cooler place for around two weeks before planting.
Can I sow seeds direct into the soil outdoors?
Yes from April onwards when soil is workable cultivate to a fine tilth where you wish to sow make a drill in the soil to a depth of a couple of centre metres sow seeds about 6cm apart and then cover and water, seeds should germinate in 14-21 days depending on weather conditions.
How far should I plant apart?
For best results plants should be 18cm-24cm apart.
Should I use feed or fertilizer to encourage healthy growth?
Sunflowers like all plants respond well to plant food or fertilizer
Are Sunflowers prone to disease?
Like all plants they suffer from their fair share, mainly susceptible to downey mildew which can be kept at bay by use of a fungicide.
Are sunflowers attacked by anything else?
Cover seeds and plants with net until they are established (say 9-12cm tall) this just keeps the birds from feeding on their juicy young leaves. When it comes to insects sunflowers normally attract enough beneficial insects to ward off the white fly and green fly.
When can I cut the flowers for indoor use?
To get the best from your flowers cut just as the petals start to open and that way they will last longer in the vase, once cut immerse straight into water and if this cannot be then revive them by cutting about 1" off the bottom of the stems and mix a little washing up liquid into the water not sure why but this does help to revive the flowers.
Can I pinch out my Sunflowers?
No these are single stem varieties which have been bred to produce only one flower per plant and if pinched will simply still produce one stem of lesser quality.
What should I do with the plants once they have finished flowering?
Remember to Take a photo of your sunflower before it dies then, it is best to get rid of the waste material as soon as possible this will prevent disease transferring from the plants to the soil which will make it difficult to grow sunflowers the following year.
