Fairweather’s Garden Centre in Beaulieu and Otter Garden Centres in Lymington challenge children to grow tallest sunflower

TWO local garden centres are challenging school children to take part in sunflower growing competitions.

Fairweather’s in High Street, Beaulieu, wants to encourage kids to become green fingered with the project, which will be offically launched at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair in Beaulieu starting today (Friday).

The idea was thought up by owner Patrick Fairweather and Rachel Foster, the head gardener of Patrick’s Patch – an educational and produce garden that the centre runs with the help of volunteers and local school children.

Each school will be given five seeds, pots, compost and a growing guide before the winner is selected on 22nd September.

The school with the tallest sunflower will win £150 of Fairweather’s gift vouchers which they can use towards plants, pots, seeds or anything needed for their school garden.

Applications must be submitted by 15th May. To apply visit www.fairweathers.co.uk/school-sunflower-competition

Otter Nurseries in Lymington is also offering free sunflower seeds to children, with prizes for the tallest.

Garden centres MD Jacqui Taylor said: “Everybody loves sunflowers, they’re easy to grow, lovely to look at, and they provide food for birds and insects. Bees especially are fond of their pollen.

“This is a wonderful and simple way to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in plants, wildlife and the environment.”

To claim the free seeds, visit www.ottergardencentres.com/freesunflower

The record for the tallest sunflower grown in the UK is currently held by Richard Hope of Wigan, whose plant grew to an incredible 26ft.