This large sunflower field in Pungo is drawing attention

VIRGINIA BEACH — When Chase and Calli Fulghum bought a house in Pungo four years ago, they marveled at the plot of land next door where strawberries grew.

They watched as their neighbor Tom Baker spent countless hours toiling over the crop and gained a new appreciation for farming.

“We thought it was so cool to live next to a strawberry field,” said Chase Fulghum, 38.

When Baker decided to retire and sell the lot last year, the Fulghums bought it. They plan to one day build a second home there. But in the meantime, the lot was cleared, leaving the couple with a blank canvas.

Neither of them had experience with farming, but living in the country inspired them to try something new.

Having seen the work that went into growing strawberries, they knew they couldn’t put in those kinds of hours. What they could do was a “nights and weekends project,” Chase Fulghum said. Growing flowers would be less intensive, and they knew from their own experience that sunflowers’ large yellow petals make a stunning backdrop for family photographs.

So earlier this summer, Chase Fulghum bought a refurbished 1954 Ford tractor to plow and cultivate the field.

“It was like really taking everything back to basics,” he said.

Using a bag spreader, he planted a million wildflower seeds at one end of the 1.3-acre lot. Then he planted four varieties of sunflowers over three weeks at the other end.

And Fulghum Manor was born.

Last week, the field on Vaughan Road was bursting with colorful blooms.

“It turned out better than we expected,” said 33-year-old Calli Fulghum, standing knee-deep in a cluster of purple and red zinnias.

Fulghum Manor is available for rental for photography sessions and other small group events. A painting club set up easels next to the field last week and recreated the serene landscape.

“We just could not resist these beautiful flowers,” said Julie Cushing, one of the artists who lives down the street from the Fulghums.

A u-pick event could be scheduled soon, but the recent storm may affect those plans.

Chase grew up in Hampton, and learned how to garden from his grandmother. Callie was raised in Virginia Beach and wanted to raise a family in Pungo. The couple met while in college at Old Dominion University. They both work full-time jobs and have two young children.

The couple agreed this first season has been an eye-opening experience.

“We’re excited for the future just seeing how this year did,” Chase Fulghum said.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com