Lulu’s Sunflower Competition: The Results Are In…

Hey everyone. Do you remember waaaay back in February I launched “Lulu’s Sunflower Competition“? Well, it has been a busy old summer with some of my friends better than others at growing their sunflowers! But the decision has been made and we have a winner. Read on to find out who it is and to see some lovely sunflower photos…

A host of golden…sunflowers!

Despite being the expert in all things gardening, I somehow didn’t win this competition! Must have been that one time I let M&D water my sunflower. Anyway, I still made a good effort and here is a picture of me gazing up at my sunflower:

Mummy, who has stolen my sunflower’s petals?

But there can only be one winner of our sunflower competition (well it’s actually two) and this year it is…drum roll please…Jamie and Ollie Norton!!! Here is Ollie with the winning sunflower. It is soooo tall it is higher than the shed and his Daddy needed to hold him up to see it properly!

Ollie and the winning sunflower

Ollie with his dwarf sunflower

Lulu

Lulu & The Sunflowers

As I might have mentioned last week, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! I am now a big, grown up two year old. I don’t know where the last year went. Mind you, at least I can read back on my blogs to see what I have been up to 😉 Anyway, M&D threw me a wonderful party at the weekend and my lovely friends came along to celebrate. At the end I gave them all a party bag which contained something very special indeed…some sunflower seeds! So, I have officially launched the “Lulu & The Sunflowers Competition”. We all have to plant the sunflower seeds and send in photos of us standing beside our sunflowers. The person who grows the tallest sunflower wins a prize, huzzah!

Now, as I am taking part in this competition too (no show without punch!) I don’t want to give away too many tips to the opposition. But, I am taking my chances ‘cos I know that you, my lovely readers, all want to hear my top ten secrets for growing sunflowers…

Is there anything as cheery as sunflowers on a sunny day?

1. You can plant your sunflower seed straight out where you plan to grow it. You need to wait until the last frost has passed though. Just dig over the soil and remove any weeds.
2. If you don’t have anywhere in the garden to plant your seeds, don’t worry you can plant them in pots too, just make sure there is plenty space for the roots to grow.
3. Sunflowers like lots of sun (isn’t that a coincidence Mummy?!) so choose your spot carefully.
4. Dig a drill about 12mm deep
5. Plant your seeds, leaving about 10cm between each one
6. Cover your seeds with soil then water them gently. You will need to keep them well watered.
7. As they grow, if they are too close together then thin out your sunflowers so they are 45cm apart, leaving the strongest seedlings.
8. You may need to protect young seedlings from slugs and snails. If you cut the top off a plastic bottle you can use that to protect them.
9. As your sunflower grows you will need to give it some support so add a cane and loosely tie the seedling to the cane.
10. Sit back and watch your sunflower grow. And grow. And grow. And grow. And grow…

And remember, after your sunflowers have finished blooming, leave the flower heads so the birds can feast on the seeds.

I’m aiming high with my sunflowers!