Battle of spuds is on
THE highly anticipated Rotary Club of Bundaberg City Daybreak annual Spud Growing Competition is back for another year, promising a bucket-load of fun for gardeners of all abilities.
The experienced right through to even the greenest of thumbs have been invited to explore their potato growing prowess, according to the club's secretary Carol Cullen.
"We're all ready to go," she said.
Mrs Cullen said it was now the time to begin planting the seed potato, which will grow for a four-month period before judgment day in September.
She said there were already 120 buckets at $10 each waiting to find homes.
"We supply the buckets, soil and seedlings, and then it's up to everyone to grow the potato in the bucket," she said.
"Then they can add their own secret recipes."
Mrs Cullen said the spud growing competition was one of the major fundraisers for the Rotary club, with the buckets, soil and potatoes donated by Bunnings, Avoca Garden Centre and Boylans.
"Rotary clubs exist to do community service," she said.
"To be able to continue community service, we have to fundraise."
Mrs Cullen said the event, which has captured the attention of the city since it began in 2008, had gotten a good name for itself.
"We have people that have done it every year," she said.
"It's a bit more fun than just selling a raffle ticket."
Mrs Cullen said there were some serious contenders, including the Childers Rotary Club and students from Kepnock High School.
"It's really good for kids - it introduces them into growing something," she said.
Although a date has not been set for the potato judging, Mrs Cullen hoped it would be around the same time as Bundy in Bloom.
Prizes will be awarded to the best and biggest potato, as well as the ugliest and the "hard luck" story.
Mrs Cullen said the money raised throughout the competition went to local organisations.
"Each year we have tried to use the money for something specifically local and agricultural-based."
TROPHY CABINET
Prizes are awarded for the:
- Biggest potato
- Ugliest potato
- Highest number of potatoes
- Longest potato
- Hard luck story
