The Great Sunflower Project

Join the hunt for bees! Even though it's winter time, the Great Sunflower Project is still something that would be fun to do this growing season and it's something that you can start planning right now. And, if you are a teacher, they even have projects specifically geared for students and teachers to incorporate this project into your classroom and includes a page with resources specifically for teachers.

How does it work? There are four easy steps:

1. Go to their website to register. (It literally takes less than two minutes, I just did it myself.) In early Spring, the Great Sunflower Project will send you a packet of sunflower seeds, including planting and care instructions that can be found on their website.

2. Fill out the "Describe your garden" form. I haven't done this step personally yet, but it looks similar to the registration form: quick and simple to complete.

3. Time how long it takes 5 bees to visit your sunflower plant. This is the fun part, and the main angle of this project. Twice per month they will send you an email of when you need to monitor your sunflowers. If you can't watch your sunflower on one of those days, try to pick a warm, sunny day within a week of that weekend. Between 10:00am and 12:00pm on a Saturday or Sunday (or whatever day you choose) grab a chair and a drink, a data sheet, a stop watch or clock, and a pencil and watch away. The data sheet is easy to follow and records things like temperature, time of day, and the number of visiting bees, of course. It only takes as long as it takes for 5 bees to visit, or if you don't get 5 bees in 30 minutes, stop your watch and let them know.

4. Enter your data online, or send in your form.

This project seems pretty easy, and more detailed information about recording data can be found on their website. I think it's a great way to find an excuse to relax and get in 30 minutes of sunshine! I have just registered myself and eagerly await the arrival of my seeds. I am a renter with space for a garden, but I do have a nice balcony that will a great space to house some large sunflower pots. Whether you have a garden or just have some space, like me, on a balcony, patio, or back deck, these sunflowers will definitely add a little happiness to your day in yellow and green.

Photo by Ginny Stibolt