Please join Keep the Midlands Beautiful in celebrating its 20th anniversary by planting sunflowers in your yard or garden.

Keep the Midlands Beautiful is giving away 10,000 sunflower seed packets to schools, businesses, parks, and Midlands residents with the wish to see sunflowers blooming across the Midlands in August and September.

Sunflowers are easy to grow and will do well even in poor soil. The seeds should be planted in full sun. They will grow up to 12 feet tall, so staking will likely be required. (Try planting three seeds in a triangle with a single pole in the center. Or, plant them near an existing pole or fence and secure stalk to that.) Water regularly until the plant is established.

To have seeds mailed to you along with a Keep the Midlands Beautiful tote bag, make a $25 contribution. To arrange a time to pick up seeds at the Keep the Midlands Beautiful offices (930 Richland Street, Columbia) or for more information, call 733-1139 or email heidi@keepthemidlandsbeautiful. com.