In the Bay of Plenty, 750 children through 15 kindergartens are taking part in this year’s Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project, which launched on the weekend across New Zealand.

This year, kindergartens in Murupara, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Otūmoetai, Papamoa, Waihi and Whangamata are participating.

Competition and interest amongst the local kindergartens will be keen for this biennial event, and to see who takes out the awards.

In the 2021 project, the winners in the Bay of Plenty region were Tai O Fenua Kindergarten for ‘Tallest Sunflower Award’ and Whangamata Kindergarten for ‘Widest Sunflower Head Award’.

This year marks a significant milestone in the project's history, with the largest participation to date, involving 277 kindergartens from 11 kindergarten associations across the country.

Around 13,795 youngsters will take part in this much-loved sunflower growing contest that helps sprout little gardeners and spark a life-long love of gardening whilst brightening up garden beds.

It will be stem against stem, flower against flower as they compete to grow the tallest or widest sunflower within their specific association’s region.

There’s some lofty heights set with the tallest sunflower grown nationally a giant 3.41 metres and the widest sunflower head at 35 cm across.

Key dates for the 2023 Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project.

Each child has the opportunity to develop gardening skills with hands-on learning about a plant's lifecycle by sowing seeds, watching them germinate, tending to delicate seedlings, transplanting them into the soil, and mastering the art of daily plant care.

They also engage with numbers and measurement by tracking their plant's growth each week. Teachers can integrate aspects of the Project into their learning curriculum through a range of activities and information in the Daltons Sunflowers Learning Centre.

The project runs through until Monday December 11, December 2023, when final measurements are taken, and winners announced on Wednesday December 13.

Daltons General Manager, Colin Parker, is delighted to see this biennial project run for the seventh time.

"Gardening is now an even more valuable life-long skill for both children and adults, especially with fruit and vegetable prices skyrocketing,” says Colin.

“Our project aims to not only develop these skills in children but also bring a sense of happiness and joy to everyone that takes part.”

Get tips and hints on sowing your sunflower seeds in our helpful video with Gerard from Kings Seeds and Scott from the Daltons team.

Children will nurture the seeds of the amazing Skyscraper Sunflower, generously provided by project partner, Kings Seeds.

This variety has the potential to soar to incredible heights of four to five metres, with thick stems and stunning golden-petalled flower heads that can grow up to 45 cm across.

"We hope the project will also help children inspire their families to grow their own garden at home, whether it’s planting lettuces or strawberries to eat or creating a flowerbed for bees,” says Colin.

The winning Kindergarten for each region’s Tallest Sunflower Award, and Widest Sunflower Head, will receive prizes from Daltons, and project partners The Warehouse and GARDENA.

The Homegrown Sunflower Award, introduced during the pandemic, also offers children an opportunity to grow a sunflower at home and involve their family.

Budding growers who go the extra mile will also be rewarded at the end of the project, as each Kindergarten nominates their very own “Daltons Best Little Gardener” who receives a certificate and prize pack, courtesy of Daltons.

Participation certificates are also available for teachers to download and print off, so every child has their own special memento.

For more information on this special project to grow the next generation of gardeners, visit www.daltons.co.nz or visit the Sunflower Project Facebook page.

The 2023 Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project launched on Monday August 21. Photo: Supplied.

Daltons tips for youngsters to grow giant sunflowers at home

Plants begin as a seed and in order to grow, the seed must first germinate. Germination is what happens to a seed that has been dormant (asleep) and with enough warmth and water it will sprout (grow). Follow our guide on how to sow your little sunflower seed so it can begin its journey and grow into a giant sunflower. It needs warmth, sunshine, and water, a little tender loving care!

What you will need:

• Daltons Premium Seed Mix
• Kings Seeds – Skyscraper Sunflower seeds
• Small pot e.g: yoghurt container etc (just make sure it has drainage holes in the bottom)
• Small shovel
• Water spray bottle
• Plastic dish or ice cream container to hold your pots in
• Gloves
• Adult to help

Step 1: Take your small pot and fill it (almost to the top) with Daltons Premium Seed Mix.

Step 2: Sow your sunflower seed into the soil about 1-1.5cm deep - no more than twice the diameter of the seed. (Seeds sown too deeply will not germinate).

Step 3: Add a little more soil on top and water lightly. Be sure to water regularly for even germination and growth - but don’t overwater as it can rot the seeds.

Step 4: Place your seed pots into an ice cream or yoghurt container so they do not leak water. Find a nice warm, sunny windowsill indoors. It’s very important to keep the temperature even so they germinate well.

When will your seedling be ready to plant outside?
When seedlings sprout, a set of leaves form first that look almost like a four-leaf clover. A few days later, a third single leaf will emerge that does not look like the first ones. This is called the first true leaf. Your seedling will be big enough to plant outdoors (weather dependent) once it has sprouted its second set of true leaves – it should be about 10-15cm tall.

Planting your seedling
Choose a spot in the garden that gets plenty of sun throughout the day and is sheltered from the wind. Find a strong, sturdy stake that is tall enough to support your seedling plant as it grows. Stake the seedling when planting it so you don’t disturb the plant’s roots later on. Gently tie the plant to the stake with soft ties like recycled pantyhose.

The 2023 Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project ends on Monday December 11. Photo: Supplied.

Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project

The Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project is only running in 11 Kindergarten Associations in selected regions of New Zealand. The participating associations include, Auckland Kindergarten Association, Central Kids Kindergartens (Central North Island), Kidsfirst Kindergartens (Christchurch), Dunedin Kindergartens Incorporated, Inspired Kindergartens and Home-Based Education (Tauranga), Kindergarten Taranaki, Marlborough Kindergarten Association, Nelson Tasman Kindergartens Association, Northland Kindergarten Association, Waikato Kindergarten Association, Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens (Wellington).

A free starter pack is sent to each participating Kindergarten and includes everything the children need to grow and learn about sunflowers, including a measuring tape, an instruction booklet with growing guides, peat pots, seed raising and potting mix, and the key ingredient, Kings Seeds Skyscraper Sunflowers seeds.

Teachers are supported throughout the Project with regular newsletters full of sunflower information along with learning sheets, how-to-videos, and fun activities to integrate into the learning curriculum and share with their kindy kids.

For more information on this special project to grow the next generation of gardeners, visit www.daltons.co.nz or visit the Sunflower Project Facebook page.