Reader's question: Mrs Luckhurst, from Ingleton, has written me a lovely letter saying that last October at the Ingleton Chapel harvest thanksgiving service the preacher gave the congregation sunflower seeds from an enormous sunflower that she had grown.

Mrs Luckhurst asks if I could give her some hints as how they should be grown.

IN a hot summer, it can take only 60 days from sowing the sunflower seeds to the flowers blooming. We cannot, of course, guarantee a long hot summer, so it is probably better get them off to a good start indoors in early March rather than planting them directly into the garden from April or May. Use small 3in pots (yoghurt pots or used water dispenser cups would be ideal) and an all-purpose sowing compost. You don’t need to splash out on expensive stuff as DIY and garden centre home brands will do the job just as well.

Plant just one seed per pot by placing it on the surface of the compost in the middle of the pot and pushing it down with one finger about 1in deep. Fill the hole with compost, but don’t pat it down too hard.

Set the pot on the floor and give it a watering by running the watering can (with a rose on) over it backwards and forwards a few times, to mimic the natural action of rain. Create a mini-greenhouse effect to retain the heat by covering with a polythene bag held in place with string or a rubber band (a shower hat is perfect). Place in a well-lit and warm area of the house,conservatory or heated greenhouse.

Remove the cover when leaves appear, and when the seedlings are large enough to be handled re-pot them or plant them outside when all risk of frost has passed (around May).

They prefer a sunny open site, but will grow in most sites and soils.

All your sunflower plants will need to be staked and tied so that they grow tall and strong. To do this, tie them every 6in with soft ties, “rings”

of cut down tights. Given good weather, fertile soil and sufficient water the plants can grow up to 12in every day.

Remember to keep the cycle going and harvest the seed again at the back end of the year, or at the very least, put the dried head on the bird table for our feathered friends.

Jobs this week

IF not already done, lift and divide congested clumps of Snowdrops while still in leaf.

March is a good time to plant or move evergreens, as the weather warms up and root activity begins, but before new shoots have opened.

Bare-rooted hedging evergreens should be planted quickly now, and watered well over the next three months. Cold winds can burn plants whose root systems have been recently disturbed, and it pays to protect very exposed plants from wind until they are established.

■ Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm. Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk any time during the week, or texting 07786- 200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show. Written letters can be addressed to Lazy Dayz,10 Farm Road, Houghall, Durham, DH1 3SF.