John's growing tips

Sunflower growing tips

Sunflowers grow well in most soil types except heavy clay. They prefer a sheltered sunny site. Your sunflower is “hardened off” and is ready for planting. Adding well rotted manure or spent compost and a handful of general fertiliser to the planting site will be beneficial.

Make a planting hole twice the size of the pot. Gently tap the plant out of the pot retaining the compost around the roots. Plant sunflower 1” deeper than in pot. Backfill and gently firm in. After planting water in well and stake firmly.

Once the sunflower is growing regular watering and liquid feeding will also be beneficial. Remember to keep the sunflower firmly staked as it grows and release ties if they become tight.

Pest and diseases

Sunflowers are generally disease free but they frequently suffer from slug damage. It is very important to protect them from slugs. A few slug pellets placed under a tile or similar at the base of the plant should be sufficient. Once the plant is established and growing well slugs should not present a problem.

If you sunflower has exceeded 9FT (2.7 m) by early August and you wish to enter it in the “Tallest Sunflower Competition” please contact Jane by phone (07748 996886) or by email (janekelly111@hotmail.com) and arrangements will be made to measure it.

There is also a competition for the Widest Sunflower Head. This would be measured at the same time.

Presentation of prizes will take place at 3:00 pm on Sunday September 21st at the Rose & Crown public house in Bocking.

All proceeds will be divided equally between the Roy Castle Lung Cancer (Charity No. 1046854) and the British Heart Foundation (Charity No. 225971) Charities.

GOOD LUCK !

May Day report & picture gallery

Hi everyone,
The weather was kind to us this year and for a change we didn't need brollies!

John had been working very hard and produced a mountain of assorted plants which sold much quicker than hot cakes!

Many thanks Vicki, Helena and Gill for helping John and I on the day. Their assistance was much appreciated and needed, we were busy all day long selling our wares (although I still have over 300 hardback books to shift if anyone has any ideas!)

I am pleased to say we raised £685 on the day and there is still some more to come in from people yet to collect their starter plants so we should easily exceed £700. Not bad eh?

Look out for a mention in the Braintree and Witham Times.

Please see picture gallery below of our colourful stall along with our raffle winner Hannah from photographer Vicki (that's why she's missing from the mugshots although it might be something to do with the attractive T shirts!)

Bye for now and good luck with your sunflowers.

Jane