We picked this idea up from a gardening show a few years back where one of the presenters shared their family tradition of a Sunflower growing competition. Each member of the family is given x number of seeds, in our case we ration it to 5, and then they attempt to grow the tallest sunflower using whatever means possible. Our family also prizes the one with the biggest head.

The rules are;

1. You can grow a maximum of 5 sunflowers and only from the original seeds given at the start of the competition (this precludes buying a shop grown version)
   


2. You can use whatever soil, fertiliser or growing method you choose - if I lose again this year I'm planning to set up my own hydroponics next year!
   


3. No-one is allowed to tamper with anyone else's plants, seeds or growing medium
   


4. You are not allowed to place your pot in an area that is irrigated, which means that you have to monitor your plants own watering requirements.
   

And the prize - bragging rights for the next 12 months (is there anything more worthwhile?)

This is such a fun way to get kids out into the garden and it teaches them to look after plants from many different aspects. They learn about soils and potting mediums, to fertilisers, sun position and watering requirements. And all this comes with the added challenge of a friendly level of competition (though it still is out-and-out war)

I will bring you regular updates over the months but I won't share too many secrets until the end as certain family members read this blog when I'm not looking!!! Oh, you know who you are....