Time to get growing for spring vegie challenge

Dust off the gloves. Dig out the spade. Clean up your vegie patch and get ready to get growing great vegies in the Yates Spring Vegie Growing Challenge, Yates marketing manager, Fiona Arthur says.

Seasoned gardeners or first-timers are invited to join thousands of keen gardeners who will battle it out for the kudos and great prizes that come with being king or queen vegie grower.

Ms Arthur says the Spring Vegie Growing Challenge is designed to foster grass roots gardening and bring gardeners together to share their successes, problems and aspirations.

“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.”

Champion pumpkin grower and Yates children’s ambassador, eight-year-old Grace Lusty will not only be competing in this year’s Vegie Growing Challenge but she will also be encouraging all children to give it a go.

Grace is known around the world for her passion for pumpkins and has been crowned ‘biggest pumpkin’ winner in her hometown of Hamilton. She will be sharing her tips for success and regular updates on progress in her own vegie garden on the Vegie Challenge website.

Everyone who registers online at www.yates.co.nz/vegie-challenge/2015 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.

Entrants are required to blog about their progress to be in with a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Now in its fifth year, the Yates Vegie Growing Challenge 2015 has introduced some new categories to cater to all types of gardeners whether they be home, community or school gardeners.

Categories and Prizes:

• Best Individual (adult) – $500 worth of Yates products + $500 Cash
• Best Individual (Child – Under 16) – $500 worth of Yates products + $500 Cash
• Best School – $500 worth of Yates products + $500 Cash
• Best Community Group – $500 worth of Yates products + $500 Cash

For those who like to get creative in the garden the Mini Challenges also provide the opportunity to win a great Yates prize pack.

Mini Challenge Categories:

• Best mini garden (eg. a fairy or dinosaur garden) – children only
• Best scarecrow/bird scarer
• Best use of upcycling – art or functional
• Best recipe from harvested produce

Registrations are now open and run until October 30. The competition finishes December 11 and the winners will be announced in January.