‘Talk, sing and be nice to them’: The secret to growing a ten foot sunflower revealed by green-fingered Mirfield youngster
The town of Mirfield could soon be taken over by a giant sunflower epidemic after the secret to growing them was revealed by a gardening-savvy youngster.
Mabel Pitt, who is just seven-years-old, grew a Mirfield Show-winning sunflower last year which reached a staggering height of ten feet.
This year, to raise money for the Headlines charity which has been supporting her older brother Teddy, the kind-hearted, green-fingered child has been selling sunflower seeds to people, with the help of businesses in Mirfield, in the hope of more beautiful and gigantic Helianthus’ springing up around the town this summer.
She has already raised over £100 by selling thousands of seeds. And you could have a ten-foot sunflower just like Mabel if you follow her advice.
“You have to talk to them, sing to them and you have to be nice to them and then they will grow really fast and really big,” Mabel revealed.
Teacher mum Hannah said: “She has always loved growing things in the garden like vegetables and flowers and plants. Last year she talked to the sunflowers every night because I told her that if she talked to them then it would help them grow.
“She talked to them, she watered them, she nurtured them, and she really took care of them. We don’t know why, or how, but one grew to ten feet. It was an absolutely massive sunflower so we entered the Mirfield Show and she got a special commendation certificate from the judges.
“We are all so proud of her.”
Assisted by Ravello Cafe, the Co-op and other Mirfield shops having writing to them, Mabel was able to create paper bags filled with seeds and hand-written instructions on how to grow them, as well as crayons for children to promote learning and drawing.
“We have planted some too again this year and one is already over six foot,” Hannah confirmed. “We have been selling in and around Mirfield to friends and family.
“It is all about growing and getting children interested in horticulture, as well as raising some much-need funds for Headlines. We really appreciate the community getting behind us.”
Nine-year-old Teddy, who was born with Apert syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition which affects the skull and face, as well as hands and feet, said of his younger sister’s gardening exploits:
“It is really good because we can raise a lot of money. She is awesome and I love her very much.”