Welcome to the Minehead Somerset Sunflower Competition 2023
We are holding two competitions
1. Tallest sunflower £100-00 Prize money
2. Largest sunflower head £ 50-00 Prize money
We have tried to keep the rules to a minimum and are as follows.
Rules
1.Let’s try and not be to serious, this completion is for fun, it would be nice to see as many sunflowers in Minehead as possible.
2. The competition is open to all, any age, you must live in Minehead and or the surrounding area see our map here for details.
3. Seeds must be purchased from Somerset Sweet Peas. Keep the empty seed pack as proof of purchase. You will need to show proof of purchase before your sunflower is measured.
4. Sunflowers must be upright ( not blown over or broken ) measurements will be taken from the base of the plant to the tallest point, and the largest headed plants will be measured from the widest part of the head. ( Front ) Sunflower heads are largest when they are with seed and fully ripened.
5. Once you’re happy your sunflower has achieved its optimum size, email or telephone us, if your entry is within the higher or larger range we will arrange to come and measure it, the closing date for measurements is Tuesday 1st August 2023 obviously before if your flower peaks earlier.
6. Somerset Sweet Peas decision is final.
Email. peter@somersetsweetpeas.com
Our Recommendations
We recommend using the F1 American Hybrid for the tallest sunflower, and the Somerset Giant for the biggest headed sunflower.
The growing site should be full sun and if possible sheltered from the wind , ground should be deeply cultivated incorporating well rotted compost/manure and plants should be staked from an early stage.
Although plants can be sown in pots, hardened off and transplanted to the final growing position, we recommend direct sowing, ( sunflowers have long tap roots ), try sowing 5 seeds together and gradually thinning until the strongest plant remains. The earlier you sow the better, but only after the risk of frost has passed, or provide protection from frost. It’s very important that plants do not suffer any kind of check, becoming pot bound drying out, prolonged period of cold, lack of water or nutrients in the final growing position. If this happens plants will flower prematurely and lack size.