A Ruamahanga field full of Sunflowers

By Lyle Griffiths 

Students from Kahutara School piled on to the Green Cycle bus to visit Ruamahunga Farm. 

It was a day for the children to discover a field full of sunflowers, to learn about the seasonal growing cycle and to harvest some of the flowers to take back to school. The sale of these flowers for $2.00 each, will go towards restoration projects.

Sitting in a circle in the midst of the field they heard a tale of the sunflower. 

There was once an Indian prince who never washed and smelled appalling. Finally, he took a bath and was horrified by the brown mud that came off his feet. He issued an edict that all mud should be covered. But the coverage of the soil prevented anything from growing. Enter the sunflower Queen who uncovers the soil and plants sunflowers, creating a field of delight.

The sunflower growing cycle starts with the black seeds nestled in the crown of the flower. The health of the soil is a critical component. 

The fields of sunflowers at Ruamahunga Farm came about through the sowing of a green cover crop encompassing 23 different seed varieties, designed to enrich the soil. Linseed, Clover, Fava beans, Buckwheat, and Lupins were just some of the varieties planted. Sunflowers proved to be the predominant crop.

It was then time for the children to harvest. Armed with secateurs they disappeared into the foliage to select their own sunflowers for picking. 

Small voices could be heard. 

“I’m going to plant my own from seed when I get back home.” 

“I can see honey in sunflowers.” 

“I found an ear of maize hiding in the sunflowers.” 

“Did you see all the other little flowers I found down on the ground?”

Ariana Te Whetu, the new principal of Kahutara School, says the outing was a great way for the children to learn about conservation, and the science of planting, as well as gaining an understanding of what is required to restore land to a healthier condition, thereby creating cleaner waterways. 

The children visited the Ruamahanga River and saw the beginnings of a restoration programme, and how the flow of the river had changed over the years.

Jane Riddiford and Rob Sugden, who organised the day, believe conservation involvement from an early age will help promote a culture of caring for the environment.

Several other projects are planned for later in the school year.

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Caption: Sunflowers ready for picking tower over Kahutara School students