“It’s all about enjoying getting out into the garden, learning and having fun at the same time. There is nothing more satisfying than picking your own vegetables to put on the dinner table. We hope new gardeners of all ages will embrace the challenge and take the opportunity to learn more about gardening,” says Fiona Arthur of Yates.
The challenge is designed to be fun, light hearted and promote the idea of growing your own vegetables, and all the associated financial and health benefits of doing so. Entries are being taken online, where contestants will find tips and answers to all manner of questions. Entrants will need to blog about their progress to be in with a chance to win in one four main categories – Best Individual (adult), Best Individual Child, Best School or Best Community Group.
For those who like to get creative in the garden, the Mini Challenges also provide the opportunity to win in the following categories: Best Mini Garden (eg. a fairy or dinosaur garden) – children only, Best scarecrow/bird scarer, Best use of upcycling – art or functional and Best recipe from harvested produce.
Everyone who registers online will receive a free packet of vegetable seeds to get started. Author, speaker and passionate gardener, Sarah the Gardener (aka Sarah O’Neil) will be on hand to provide growing tips, answer questions and guide any beginners throughout the competition.
Registrations open on 1 September 2015 and run until 30 October. The competition finishes 11 December and the winners will be announced in January.