Green-fingered builder Jonathan Crisp is “sow chuffed” with an eight-foot sunflower standing tall outside his Eden home.
Jonathan, of Plumpton, began planting seeds earlier this year, using a greenhouse as he began to repeat a horticultural habit he developed 12 months before.
“One of my mates said ‘why don’t you give it a go’,” he said.
“Some were grown from last year’s sunflowers and some were grown from a packet I got with a gardening magazine.”
One mature plant unfortunately was lost when it was hit by a football from the neighbouring primary school, while others also came to grief.
But one survivor cultivated from the magazine seed packet has hit the heights thanks to plenty of sunshine and watering. And Jonathan spoke of watching in amazement as the sunflower soared, spectacularly, to eight feet.
“It kept growing but the head didn’t show for ages. It then started to grow a head and I thought ‘get on, that’s amazing!” he said.
“The leaves are massive as well. I’m chuffed to bits!”
Jonathan, 50, is married to Sharon and runs JMC construction.
How are your sunflowers doing? Can you beat Jonathan? Send us your pictures! Email nicoler@barrnonmedia.com
