Merton Council is calling on all youngsters in the borough to take the sunflower challenge.
To enter the challenge, budding sunflower growers need seeds to plant and a space in the garden or on a balcony where the sunflower can flourish and reach for the skies.
At the end of the sunflower’s growing season in September, entrants should e-mail to environmental.development@merton.gov.uk a photograph of themselves next to their sunflower with their name, address and telephone number and the height of the plant. This should be measured from the ground to the highest petal on the flower. Alternatively, entries may be posted to Rachel Phelan, Merton Council, 63-69 Amenity Way, Morden, Surrey SM4 4AX by Friday 19 September.
For each of the two categories of entrant, under 11s and the over 11s, there will be gardening vouchers to be won for the tallest sunflower.
Tips on how to make your sunflower soar are on the council’s website.
Merton Council Cabinet Member for the environment Councillor David Simpson said: ‘This competition could be a great introduction to the magic of gardening for some of the children taking part. It’s also a great demonstration of a form of recycling once the sunflower stops blooming. Our webpage, where you can go for advice on how to grow a winning flower, also shows how you can compost your sunflower so none of it goes to waste. The nutrients from a composted sunflower make the soil rich and fertile for new plants to grow.’