Magnificant Monsters

The sunflowers I last grew, I grew in a large container outside. They grew more than twice the height of me. Their stalks were like the trunks of trees (well, not that big, but wider than fully grown bamboo stalks). Some of the flower heads were bigger than my face and oooh so heavy with seed! What an amazing experience to grow, shell, roast and eat my very own organically grown sunflower seeds!

Sun in the rain

This was the second sunflower that bloomed (our first big one)! On the misty evening of our friend, Leona's housewarming party, we delivered it to her for her to enjoy in her new home. :)

Sunflowers

Melisha, thanks for the idea! I know that I can't be too sure about the integrity of the seeds, but I bought a huge bag full of sunflower seeds (still in the shell) from the local store (being sold as hamster food!). So, I just threw the seeds in the garden where I wanted sunflowers to grow (just before the rains started) and presto! Here is a pic of the very first sunflower I have grown. Today a second much bigger one has also bloomed (still to take pic). I have also decided to scatter seeds along the backyard wall (behind the baby olive trees) so will see if some of those come up before the birds find them. Note: If you have lots of seeds like I do, try sprouting them. These sprouts are referred to as "Sunnys" or "Sunflower Greens". They are yummy on sandwiches and salads and really nutritious! Here is a link to a website that explains how to sprout them.