The Sunflower Project : Free Seeds and Paying it Forward

I am using this blog post to officially launch The Sunflower Project, a "Paying it Forward" kind of effort. The project is originating in Jacksonville, Florida and looking to connect with my readership base throughout the United States of America. In the beginning, I started with a few packets of Burpee's Sunflower Seeds. I mapped out an area in my backyard for a sunflower garden. That was the germination for The Sunflower Project.

Pretty Warm Sunflowers in a Vase - Sunflowers from My Garden
Photo taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Now, the emphasis is on continuing the germination. In a nutshell, The Sunflower Project begins with packets of free sunflower seeds which are sent out to those who will be participating in the project. Once the sunflower seeds are received, they are planted and their growth is charted.

When the sunflowers are fully grown, the participants will harvest their own sunflower seeds. And, those sunflower seeds will then be passed on to new participants in The Sunflower Project.

The "paying it forward" will continue on from participant to participant sending on their harvested sunflower seeds.

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds from the First Sunflower Head
Photo taken by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Recently, I have been harvesting sunflower seeds from several of my dried sunflower heads. I will be preparing the seed packets for shipping out to participants by the end of June 2013.

We would hope to see the participants being inspired to write about their experiences and share their own sunflower photos along the way.

Are you interested in participating? The first step is to indicate your interest by leaving a comment on this blog post. We will then be working to get your contact information, along with mailing address.

Do you have a green or yellow thumb? Have you ever grown sunflowers before? Want to get involved in this project?

P.S. After you have added your comment here on this blog post that you want to participate, please send me your full shipping information.

Working on The Sunflower Project

The first full day of The Sunflower Project, we had 4 early adopters who signed up right out of the gate: Kyra, Rachelle, Casey, and Carolan. Day two, four more participants signed up; Cris, Lynda, Tony and Charity. Eight packets of seeds have been dispatched to the participants.

Day three brought in two more expert flower gardeners, Debbie and Lillian. Don't be left behind. I have got a gazillion sunflower seeds already harvested. Not ready to put them in a bird feeder. Get your free seeds now.

Three Sunflower Seed Packets from The Sunflower Project
Photo taken June 12, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Last night, I was up until just short of Midnight harvesting the seeds from all the sunflower heads that I have been drying. Take a look at all those seeds! I have already filled 9 seed packets from the first couple of dried heads; now I have a lot more seed packets to prepare.

An assortment of sunflower seeds harvested from the blossom heads
Photo taken on June 13, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Isn't it remarkable how much difference there are in those seeds? In the little piles on the two trays above, each of those piles represent one sunflower head's seeds! I worked on 18 sunflower heads to gather their seeds! My next step is to create the little seed packets and fill them with these seeds.

I've written about the largest sunflower head from my garden in a previous blog post. It weighed over 8 ounces. You can see the seeds I extracted from that head in the above picture, top tray, far upper left pile. That's a lot of seeds! I've also got a variety of colors in those seeds, not just the typical black. There are white seeds, tan seeds, brown seeds, and black seeds.

I wonder just how many sunflower seeds there are on those two trays?

The Sunflower Project
Plant these seeds and then Pay it Forward.
http://jaguarjulie.blogspot.com

Have you signed up to participate in The Sunflower Project yet? Hey! What are you waiting for? An engraved invitation. This is it. Your time is here. Time to plant the seeds. Looking forward to the growing season 2014! I have a plethora of sunflower seeds prepared to distribute before the next season. All you have to do is sign up and let me know you'd like to participate.

The Sunflower Project Blooms!

Labor Day, September 2, 2013: I have heard from one of The Sunflower Project participants, Lynda Makara! Oh my, but she did a fabulous "job" with her free packet of sunflower seeds. She has written a Zujava leaf, The Sunflower Project: Sunflower Seed Giveaway, which is quite remarkable! Honestly, I am so inspired by the beautiful backdrop she had for her sunflower garden. She is obviously a talented painter too as you should see her sunflower painting. Thanks Lynda for making this such an inspirational and joyous experience!

 PS Please do not steal my original images and written content. Be authentic and original. Be yourself and stop trying to be me. You know?