Poole In Bloom Junior Sunflower Competition
Junior Sunflower Competition
We are launching the Junior Sunflower Competition this year. This is free to enter and all children under 16 are eligible to enter with parents permission and consent. Contact us via email at enquiries@pooleinbloom.co.uk for entry forms and seeds.
The maximum height of the sunflower will be measured and the tallest sunflower wins! All efforts are to be made to keep it as environmentally friendly as possible.
How to sow a sunflower indoors
What you will need:
* cell trays or individual 10cm flower pots
* seed sowing compost
* plant labels
* water proof marker pen or pencil
* Poole In Bloom Sunflower Seeds
Instructions:
1. Fill the cell trays or plant pots with seed sowing compost. Gently firm down the compost. You can use the base of another pot or cell tray to do this.
2. Push a 1cm hole in the center of each the cells or pots, and put one seed in each hole. Cover gently with compost and water well.
3. Write a label saying "Poole In Bloom Sunflower" (it is always advisable to write a label for everything you sow as it is easy to forget what you have sown).
4. Place the cells or pots on a warm, bright window sill or in a greenhouse that is frost free. They should germinate within a couple of weeks.
5. Grow the plants on in a warm sunny position for a few weeks. Keep the compost moist (be careful not to overwater).
6. Once the plants are between 25cm and 30cm they can be planted out so long as the weather is frost free (by this point it should be!).
7. Prepare the ground for planting by adding compost or well rotted manure or plant feed. Plant in a sheltered but sunny spot. The sunflower plant should now have all the necessary ingredients to grow into a prize winning sunflower.
8. Sunflowers can grow to well over 2 meters and may need firm staking to prevent possible wind damage or your sunflower can go from 2 meters to 6 inches overnight.
9. Keep your sunflower watered in dry conditions. Treat your sunflowers as if they were your babies, just the right amount of water, light and plant food and they will grow up to be big and strong!
Welcome to our 2025 Poole In Bloom Competition!
Our Competition
What the judges look for?
What the judges look for?
We invite you to take part in our 2025 Poole In Bloom Competition.
You do not have to be an expert gardener to take part, just love your garden and gardening. Through the competition you will get to share your passion with the community and inspire others! There are no limitations, just your imagination and choice of design and planting
We invite you to take part in our 2025 Poole In Bloom Competition.
You do not have to be an expert gardener to take part, just love your garden and gardening. Through the competition you will get to share your passion with the community and inspire others! There are no limitations, just your imagination and choice of design and planting.
Entering the competition is free of charge so please consider entering using the form below by entering your email address and clicking 'next'. You can also download the application form or collect one from your local library. This can be scanned and emailed to enquiries@pooleinbloom.co.uk or posted to the specified address.
What the judges look for?
What the judges look for?
What the judges look for?
Plants that are well grown - be it flowers, foliage planting or a mixture of both. Artificial flowers are not acceptable. Spent flowers should be appropriately deadheaded.
Right plant, right place - for example tall plants at the back of a border and shorter ones at the front, sun lovers in the sun and shade lovers in the shade.
Excessive p
Plants that are well grown - be it flowers, foliage planting or a mixture of both. Artificial flowers are not acceptable. Spent flowers should be appropriately deadheaded.
Right plant, right place - for example tall plants at the back of a border and shorter ones at the front, sun lovers in the sun and shade lovers in the shade.
Excessive pests and diseases are considered faults.
Hedges should be neatly trimmed and paths should be clean. Lawns should be trimmed neatly with well-manicured edges. Lawns in drought conditions eg brown, will not be severely penalised should water restrictions be in place. Weeds should be kept to a minimum
Wildlife gardens - should have a level of unkempt appearance with plenty of cover for wildlife. There should be no evidence of pest or disease control, eg slug pellets. A wildlife pond is an advantage, constructed at ground level with easy access for wildlife. Nest boxes sited are an advantage. Planting of shrubs and trees which produce a food source is very important eg berries in autumn and winter. Mixed types of habitats will obtain the highest marks.
Sensory Gardens - should have good and easy access. Planting in containers above ground level is an advantage. Design and planting should provide strong colour, scent and texture to involve the 5 senses (sight, sound, scent, tough and taste).