Giant Sunflowers

The annual Red Gate Community Garden Giant Russian Sunflower Show is at its peak right now.

Dominating the McCulloch Street skyline, these giants top out at around 4m in height (or 14ft in Red Gate speak).
These giants have become a regular feature providing
a talking point within the town and amazing the many visitors who happen upon them.

Red Gate’s volunteer gardeners have fielded queries from a surprising number of interested parties and, although they have handed out seeds in the hope that others will get the same results, nobody seems to have achieved what the green thumbed amateurs have.

So, Red Gate once again offering free seeds to anybody who would like to take up the challenge.

A few tips – the seeds are best planted mid to late-August and require regular watering and ample fertilizer. Staking and tethering will guard against wind and, of course, a good deal of sunlight is key to growth.

Seeds are available from the Red Gate any Tuesday morning from around 9 a.m.. They would make a wonderful project for kids as well as a stunning introduction to the joys and rewards of gardening.