MOOSE JAW — With their green thumbs and generous hearts, gardeners Len and Bernie Mintenko are once again turning sunflowers into support for the Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS), with preorders now being accepted ahead of this year’s planting.
The couple, who grow roughly 1,200 sunflowers annually, have been selling their plants for charity since 2022. Their initiative began as a way to help Ukrainian refugees during the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war, and has since expanded to support a variety of local causes — including the Rotary Clubs of Moose Jaw, MJHS, and the Ukrainian Help and Exchange program.
“There are a lot of charities that could use support,” Len said earlier. “So, we thought… why not work with different (charities) and help them out?”
This year, the Mintenkos decided to focus their efforts once again on supporting animals in need at the MJHS, after presenting the shelter with a $700 cheque on June 10, 2024.
“There are a lot of expenses (involved in keeping) the dogs and hopefully fostering them… (and) a lot of our children have dogs,” Len said. “It’s… (something) we believe is important.”
Each sunflower is sold in an individual container for $2 apiece, with 50 cents from each sale going to the shelter. The couple grows five varieties — which will remain the same this season — including the towering Helianthus giganteus, which can reach the height of a garage, and the smaller Teddy Bear variety, which is ideal for flowerpots.
Varieties also include Velvet Queens, Kongs, and Dwarf sunflowers.
Len said asking for preorders will help determine how many plants to grow.
“Well, we (once again) have five varieties, and some of the fancier varieties go first,” he said, noting that introducing preorders should help ensure customers don’t miss out on their preferred cultivar. “This way, we can get a better idea (of how many seeds to plant).”
Although preorders are open now and will remain in effect until the end of April, Len said he won’t start planting roughly 1,500 seeds — adjusted based on preorder demand — until approximately May 3. From there, it takes around two weeks for seedlings to germinate and reach the four-leaf stage, which is when they’re ready to start selling.
Len said he finds motivation by helping others, but also by seeing the impact of their work.
“You go down some of the boulevards and… (yards and) see that some of our sunflowers are feeding the birds and saving the bees — it’s such a good thing,” he said last year.
With pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, and hoverflies facing a worldwide decline, Len also believes these flowers contribute to the local ecosystem.
“I was reading the other day about more pollinators going extinct… whether it’s butterflies, bees, or (other pollinators) in the world generally. So, it’s an important thing to have (flowers such as these) for (these beneficial insects) to do their part….”
Len said he’s still finalizing the location for in-person sunflower sales this season, with further details to follow as the season progresses.
Preorders are now being accepted by emailing Len and Bernie Mintenko at [email protected] or by calling 306-693-1728.
