Sunflower seeding begins with season setup for success
Published on 12 October 2021
Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor, Cr Doug Hawkins OAM said farmers, community groups and home gardeners were getting into gear to plant their sunflowers, with hopes for a great season reinforced by a wet spring.
He said council is gearing up to once again promote the visually spectacular oilseed crop. In 2013 the first Sunflower Alert began with just 11 subscribers. In 2019 the district welcomed more than 4,500 visitors to view the sunny plains, and in 2021 more than 6,100 people from across Australia and 21 countries have signed up to receive Sunflower Alerts.
“I want to thank those social media groups like Sunflowers on the Plains and Wallabadah Community Noticeboard, who are promoting this wonderfully visual crop, grown on the Plains,” he said.
“The Sunflowers on the Plains Facebook page has launched their sunflower competition, inviting local gardeners to make the most of free seed packs to grow themselves an entry.
“We’ve had some great rain and soil temperatures are starting to rise. There are reports that Windy Station, has already planted 202 hectares of sunflowers which will make a spectacular display in January when they flower,” Cr Hawkins said.
Free seeds and entry forms for the Sunflowers on the Plains competition are available from Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre at Willow Tree and Quirindi.
“Free sunflower seeds can be picked up at the Quirindi Library’s seed library as well,” Cr Hawkins said.
Cr Hawkins also praised the efforts of Tanya Hartigan, who is organising an Art and Photography Exhibition at the Wallabadah Hall in January, providing a showcase for local artists.
He also urged locals to support the business community, suggesting they offer to decorate a window or plant sunflowers in pots/tubs and help water them.
Sunflower on the Plains’ Facebook group member Graham Bullock said he will be taking free seeds out to Spring Ridge and Caroona and they will also be available at the Service Station at Currabubula and both the Chemist and Library at Werris Creek.