Suggestions please

[HeyWayne]

This year I set up a "chilli-off" competition at work. I donated some Purple Tiger seedlings and set the task to see who could grow the most chillies. We had a clear winner - amidst accusations of "cheating" (she used a greenhouse and feed).

This year I'm trying to work out what to grow/challenge.

Requirements:

a) Low maintenance
1) Not to space intensive
i) Needs to provide some form of "measurement" - so we can have a winner

I've suggested Beans as they can be grown upward and don't take up too much ground, but as pointed out by the potential contestants - they could go a buy a bean from the supermarket (unless I select something unusual - they thinks beans are just simply green, the amateurs!).

Any suggestions gratefully receievered.

Many ta's

[zazen999]

I have some unusual beans chuck; that can't be bought anywhere - they grow tall so you could have that competition; but the best way would be to count how many beans they produce at the end of the season...Madeira Maroon they are called; and the best thing is they can all make a chilli out of the result.

Originally from Piglet Willie's stash. PM me if you want some.

[OllieMartin]

a) Low maintenance
1) Not to space intensive
i) Needs to provide some form of "measurement" - so we can have a winner

If you need suggestions on creating numbered lists, talk to Pumpkin Becki!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

How about who can grow the biggest Achocha - can't buy them in the shops.

[HeyWayne]

How about who can grow the biggest Achocha - can't buy them in the shops.

Aye - but that stuff grows like wildfire!

Plus it looks a bit like canna-weed-bis so I might get some funny looks turning up to work with several weed-lings.

[quark1]

How about some potatoes in a bucket (get some free black flower buckets) from seed - I still have some Salad Blues from last year - germinations status unknown in second year? - but I don't think Blue Spuds are widely available in shops so no cheating close to hand! Depends on how many you think you'd need if you wanted some of my supply.

Whilst there have been some variations in colour of spuds produced most, if not all have been of a blue hue and if you just tell the participants its pots from seed anyone supplying an all-white variety will expose themselves!

This would offer a completely new growing experience and definitely measurable by weight.

[rustylady]

How about you provide the seed and then compare the results.

[rustylady]

Oops, sorry Wayne, you did that the first time, didn't you? I would still suggest you provide the seeds or tubers (make them something unusual) and let people grow them how they wish.

[ginger ninger]

What about carrots, you could see who grew the longest & heaviest. Or what about marrow, there's lots of bush type ones to choose from so they'll not take up as much room....just a tought.

[miffy]

Tallest sunflower know it isn't a veg but easy to measure, you could weigh the seeds on the head if you get a giant one! Tomitillos are easy to grow, just need lots of water and some sunshine and you can't get them in the shops, so could be who has the most fruits of those.

[seasprout]

Grow your own Tapeworm...?

Could be done..!

[SlugLobber]

We did sunflowers and pumpkins where I used to work. Pumpkin was measured by weight. We also had accusations of cheating. Rumour had it that one or two competitors nicked some nutrient-rich growth medium from the lab and fed it to the pumpkins, lol!

[Pumpkin Becki]

A potted plant seems the best option doesn't, what about about something like Runner Bean 'Hestia' (bred specially for patio containers). You could get them all to bring their plants back on a certain day and judge how healthy they are and maybe how many beans are on the plant on that particular day.

As an aside, I've decided to donate a 'chilli growing' kit (of my own making) to at chap a work for Christmas. He bangs on about how 'sad' I am growing veg, and he wouldn't even try my spiced squash soup the other day (its devine - he totally missed out), but I know he loves to cook, and he loves chillis. I will convert him, I will!!

[HeyWayne]

Sunflowers! Now there's an idea.

I've kindly been donated some bean seeds to try - but I might do the sunflower thing too, for justin.

Thanks for all the suggestions people.

[zazen999]

HW - have they got there yet? I posted yours and PW's seeds the same day so just seeing if yours have turned up before I contact PW about his.