Originally Published January 18 2022
A QUICK glance at a vacant block in Kerang, you would be forgiven for thinking that something suspicious is growing.
But, a closer inspection and a smile quickly grows on your face, with hundreds of blooming sunflowers on a Boundary Street block.
Families have travelled locally and abroad to stop by for selfies, posting them on social media to spread the gratitude.
It’s the brainchild of local businesswoman Bec Hewitt, who cycled around town delivering shoe orders dressed as characters to celebrate Book Week.
Her partner, Darren Bray, said the block was “sitting there doing nothing and looked a bit ugly at the moment”.
“I thought what could we do with it, and Bec came up with the idea of sunflowers,” he said.
“I thought it sounded like a good idea and we went ahead and it brightened up the block a bit.
“It’s something for people to do in town, to have a look and cheer people up a bit after obviously COVID.
“We’ve had heaps of comments, lots of people saying it’s amazing and a great idea.”
Mr Bray said he planted about 800-900 seeds, of which 100 failed to take off.
“I’ve never planted sunflowers before, all I know is to put them in the ground and water them,” he said.
“We have had a few 40-degree days and not much rain, so I’ve had to go down there and hand water them, which takes about an hour.
“It takes a bit of time, but if it brings people smiles then it’s been worth it.
“They are varying in sizes, some haven’t taken off – a foot high to six feet tall.
“I threw three to four seeds in one spot and all have grown in there together, so it looks like there’s not many there, but about 700 have taken off.”
Mr Bray decided to plant just a third of his block, which was about 800 square metres.
“If I was to plant the entire block, I think I’d need a sprinkling system or drip irrigation,” he said before laughing.
“I can’t believe how much water they have taken, so rain would have helped.”
Mr Bray said the positive reaction meant he would consider planting again towards the end of the year.
“I planted a bit late, in late October, with not much rain,” he said.
AGF Seeds gifted Mr Bray a 1kg of seeds.
“They gave us about 5000 seeds and I wasn’t going to plant them all,” he said.
“I planted 100 at the start and just kept going and planted more to see what happens.”
The block is located at the Bendigo end of Boundary Street.
