Fulton man grows giant sunflower

August 28, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated August 28, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

Jack Powell, 88, displays a 10-pound sunflower he grew in his backyard garden in Fulton. "I've never seen one this big and heavy. It was a good year for growing sunflowers," Powell said.
Jack Powell, 88, displays a 10-pound sunflower he grew in his backyard garden in Fulton. "I've never seen one this big and heavy. It was a good year for growing sunflowers," Powell said.

Jack Powell, 88, has been growing vegetables and flowers in his backyard garden in Fulton for the past 30 years.

During that time, he's learned a trick or two about growing plants.

This year, Powell has a sunflower head he cut off a plant growing in his backyard that weighs about 10 pounds. It also measures about one foot across.

"I've never had one this big and heavy. It certainly is the biggest one I've ever seen. This was a good year for growing sunflowers. There's a lot of bird feed in this one," Powell said.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.