Sunflower celebration preparations officially begin

WITH spring now in full swing, organisers are encouraging Surf Coast residents to begin planning and planting sunflower seeds for the return of an event in Torquay early next year.

The Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers is again on the horizon, scheduled to take place on the Surf Coast for a fourth year on January 25.

Co-organiser of next year’s celebration, Sue Toskovski, said the community can soon get access to sunflower seed packets for free, made possible by 45 volunteers.

“Last spring and summer, we had an amazing time during the Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers, and guess what, it’s happening again for the fourth year in a row.

“You can grab free sunflower seed packets at the Torquay Library from Monday, October 14 to November 11, or until they run out, these seeds are like little bursts of hope and promise; the sunflowers are joyful and bright.”

Earlier this year, more than 100 attendees with more than 40 registered sunflower growers attended the event, after three months of growing their sunflowers.

Ms Toskovski said all members of the community were invited to participate.

“Join the fun on the Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers Facebook page to share your progress, ideas, successes, growing frustrations, and more.

“We’re having a simple gathering in January to display the sunflowers that people have grown.

“There will be fun prizes for various categories like tallest, tiniest, heaviest sunflower head, best potted sunflower, best multi-headed, most unusual, best dressed sunflower, and more.”

In addition to a free envelope of mixed seeds from the library, residents can buy some specialty seeds from a nursery or hardware store and give sunflower growing a go.

Ms Toskovski said the best time to sow sunflowers was between mid-October and mid-November.