Monday, 5 March 2012

The Russian Giants - Sunflowers




Last week Poppy chose a selection of children's seeds from the garden centre.  A packet of 'Ladybird Poppies' and 'Russian Giants, Sunflowers' from the The Royal Horticultural Society.  So we got sowing.   

So here is an outdoor activity you can all do with your little green fingers!


You will need:
A packet of sunflower seeds
5-6 pots (7cm)
Watering can
Soil, potting compost is recommended
Trowel 

When to sow:
February to April

Step 1 - Sow indoors
Fill the pots 3/4 full with soil or compost
Push 3 seeds into the centre of each pot
Fill up the pots with soil, covering the seeds, pat the soil in
lace in a warm position indoors with lots of light
Keep the pots well  watered until seedlings appear - this should take just 7 days
When all risk of frost has gone, plant somewhere sunny outside








Step 2 - Sow outdoors
When the seedling have grown well choose somewhere for them to be planted outside
Rake the ground so it is nice and fine and remove any stones
Sow 20mm deep and 40cm apart
If you are planting in rows, make sure they are 45-60cm apart

Step 3 - Growing Giants!
Measure how tall the sunflowers get and how big the flower heads are
Which one is the biggest and best?
They may need securing to a wall or cane as they grow big and heavy


Step 4 - Drying out
Let the Sunflowers dry out in the late Aug-Sept sun
Collect the seeds and store in a dry cold place


Step 5 - Do it again


What are you sowing and planting?

Nice to see you again.
Xxx

1 comment:

  1. What a good idea! Have to give this a go. Nice little watering can ;0) x

    ReplyDelete