Is your school ready to dig in?
Which school grew the biggest, heaviest carrot in Tasmania? Which school garden had the most active soil microbes, and were they able to munch through a pair of cotton undies?
We invited Tasmanian school students to roll up their sleeves and take part in two fun, hands-on challenges between February and May 2026: Let it Grow (vegetable growing) and Soil Your Undies (soil health).
The entries were judged at a ceremony at Agfest, as part of a competition hosted each year by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
In 2026, we were thrilled to offer more than $4,000 worth of prizes thanks to our generous sponsors.
These challenges aren't just about big veggies and buried undies - it's about discovering the science of how food is grown. By getting involved, students gain a taste of the exciting opportunities in agriculture and food industries, while building awareness of the skills and innovations needed for a sustainable future.
More information about next year's competition will be announced towards the end of 2026.
Let it Grow
Each registered school will receive a packet of carrot seeds and a growing guide, generously supplied by Harvest Moon. Students will be encouraged to put their agricultural science skills to the test in a mission to grow the largest carrot in 12 weeks. Entries will be weighed at a ceremony at Agfest and the school with the heaviest carrot will win the challenge.
We're thrilled to welcome Harvest Moon as the major sponsor of the Let it Grow challenge for 2026.
First prize: Harvest Moon is proud to sponsor the Let it Grow vegetable growing competition in 2026. To celebrate the winning entry for the biggest carrot, Harvest Moon will award $1,000 to the winning school to support and expand their garden and growing programs.
In addition, if the winning school is interested, Harvest Moon would be delighted to host a guided tour of our facilities on a mutually agreed date. (Please note: transport arrangements and costs remain the responsibility of the school.)
Second prize: A $750 prize pack including a WaterUps 1680 Wicking Bed, perlite, and bagged potting media, generously sponsored by Horticultural and Landscape Supplies (HALS). Second prize also includes a workshop with one of our awesome entomologists (bug scientists) from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
Third prize: A $250 gift voucher to spend on gardening supplies. This prize is sponsored by TIA.
Soil Your Undies
Students are invited to bury a pair of 100% cotton undies in the school veggie patch for six weeks. It sounds a bit bizarre, but it's a great way to discover how healthy your soil is. If there’s not much left of the undies you have good biological activity, which indicates healthy soil.
The Soil Your Undies challenge is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
First prize: The school with the most degraded undies will win a bulk HALS soil or mulch delivery to the value of $1,000 and a workshop with an incredible NRM soil scientist. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
Second prize: Bulk HALS soil or mulch delivery to the value of $750. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
Third prize: $250 HALS voucher to spend on landscaping supplies. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
How to enter?
Register your interest
Click here to register your school's interest in participating in 2027. We'll be in touch to let you know when applications open later this year.
Thank you to our 2026 partners for their generous support
Let it Grow Leaderboard
2026 Let it Grow winner: Wynyard High School, with a carrot weighing 181 grams
2026 Soil Your Undies winner: Tasman District School
2025 Let it Grow winner: Wynyard High School, with a black radish weighing 1057 grams
2025 Soil Your Undies winner: Bayview Secondary College
2024 Let it Grow winner: Launceston Church Grammar School, with a beetroot weighing 602 grams
2023 Let it Grow winner: St Marys District School, with a daikon radish weighing 616 grams
Frequently Asked Questions
Tasmanian primary and secondary schools are welcome to take part in the Let it Grow and Soil Your Undies challenge. Schools can submit one entry in each category.
Details for the 2027 competition will be announced later this year.
Each registered school will receive an entry pack containing the items listed below. This will be posted to the school to coincide with the start of Term 1.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Please use only organic fertilisers.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Remove from the soil carefully to maintain the tap root if possible. You can do this by watering well and then easing from the soil.
Gently wash the vegetable to remove dirt. We recommend using a soft sponge. Brushes may damage the skin of the vegetable.
Leave the roots and leaves of the vegetable intact. Do not trim the vegetable.
Bring your entry to Agfest for the weigh-in and Awards Ceremony.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Bury your undies in the veggie patch at a depth of five centimetres.
Important: DO NOT bury your undies at the same time you plant your carrot seeds. The undies must only be in the ground for 6 weeks for consistent results.
Details for 2027 TBC.
The undies should be in the ground for six weeks.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Details for 2027 TBC.
Please let us know if you would like to collect your vegetables or undies after the conclusion of Agfest.
Details for 2027 TBC.
The prize pack in 2026 included:
Let it Grow Prizes
First prize:
Harvest Moon is proud to sponsor the Let it Grow vegetable growing competition in 2026. To celebrate the winning entry for the biggest carrot, Harvest Moon will award $1,000 to the winning school to support and expand their garden and growing programs.
In addition, if the winning school is interested, Harvest Moon would be delighted to host a guided tour of our facilities on a mutually agreed date. (Please note: transport arrangements and costs remain the responsibility of the school.)
Second prize: $750 prize pack including a WaterUps 1680 Wicking Bed, perlite, and bagged potting media, generously sponsored by Horticultural and Landscape Supplies (HALS). Second prize also includes a workshop with one of our awesome entomologists (bug scientists) from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
Third prize: TBC
Soil Your Undies Prizes
First prize: The school with the most degraded undies will win a $1,000 bulk HALS soil or mulch delivery for the school and a workshop with an incredible NRM soil scientist. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
Second prize: $750 bulk HALS soil or mulch delivery to the school. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
Third prize: $250 HALS voucher to spend on landscaping supplies. This prize is generously sponsored by the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.