How does your garden grow? 2017 Spring Garden Spectacular now open

Published on 18 July 2017

Local green thumbs may soon have the chance to reap the rewards of their gardening efforts thanks to the 2017 Spring Garden Spectacular.

Chair of Council’s Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee Councillor Cherie Rutherford said the annual competition is now open and includes ten categories and hundreds of dollars’ worth of vouchers up for grabs.

“Whether it’s native plants, flowers or food – there’s sure to be something for all of the Region’s green thumbs in this year’s Garden Spectacular Competition,” Cr Rutherford said.

“Each year we welcome dozens of entries from residents, businesses and schools who work tirelessly in their gardens and I am certain this year will be of no exception.

“If you enjoy gardening, then this is a wonderful opportunity to get outdoors, get active and give a regional competition a go – it’s free to enter and you may even take home a prize for your efforts.”

Councillor Neil Fisher tipped that judges will be on the lookout for presentation and planning.

“Good planning in layout and selection of plants is always key when it comes to gardening competitions – it’s often that wow factor and the first impression,” Cr Fisher said.

“Other tips include ensuring the health and hygiene of plants, weed control, and the general condition of the plants overall.”

Nominations for the 2017 Spring Garden Spectacular close Friday, 15 September 2017 and are open to all Rockhampton Regional Council residents.

Entries can be made online here or by completing a hard copy entry form, located at Rockhampton Regional Council Customer Service Centres.

For full competition categories and details, visit our website or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4932 9000.

 

2017 Spring Garden Spectacular Categories

Best Use of Native Plants - Entries in this category must consist of a significant proportion of Australian native plants presented in a layout that both enhances and compliments other plant varieties in the surrounding garden. The types of native plants used should demonstrate a low water requirement in their upkeep and should possess ecological qualities such as attracting birds and butterflies.

Best Food Garden - Home gardens entered in this category may be vegetable gardens, fruit gardens, culinary herb gardens, “bush tucker” gardens or gardens that are a combination of all of these. Gardens entered must contain a diverse selection of produce, and may be the traditional bed type of garden, a container garden, a patio garden or a hydroponic garden.

Best Young Gardener/s - Entry in the “Best Young Gardener” category is open to all young green thumbs up to the age of 16, either as individuals or as groups, who have a home gardening or school gardening project they are especially proud of. Entries in this category must   predominately be the result of the work of the young gardener/s themselves.

Best Corporate Garden - Entry in this category is open to businesses, government and other corporate entities, training and tertiary education institutions, school grounds and community support organisations. Gardens entered in this category will have been created to beautify and compliment the facade and/or surrounds/grounds of the particular premises concerned.

Best Home Garden on Town Water - This category is open to home gardens that are connected to a reticulated town water supply, irrespective of allotment size. Gardens entered in this category should consist of an appealing blend of colour and texture provided by a variety of plants including shrubs, trees, climbers, groundcovers, annuals, ornamentals and lawn areas.

Best Home Garden not on Town Water - Irrespective of their allotment size, home gardens that are not connected to a reticulated town water supply may be entered in this category. These gardens should consist of an appealing blend of colour and texture provided by a variety of plants including shrubs, trees, climbers, groundcovers, annuals, ornamentals and lawn areas.

Best Lifestyle Garden Feature - This category takes account of special or feature areas of your garden that embrace a creative, relaxed outdoor lifestyle associated with a living and/or leisure area. The features may include bush and orchid houses, swimming pool surrounds, man-cave/sheds, outdoor entertaining areas or imaginative children’s play areas.

Best Flower Garden - Entries in this category are invited from either planted gardens or pot gardens that are focused on providing an abundance of eye-catching colour and fragrance stemming from vibrant displays of spring annuals and/or seasonal flowering shrubs.

Best View from the Street - Entries in this category will be focused on “first impressions”; i.e. how “good” do your premises look from the street point of view? Entries are welcome from all areas of the community - private residences, businesses, government and other corporate entities, training and tertiary education institutions, schools and community support organizations.

Best Senior’s Garden - This category is open to residents of a retirement or over 50’s complex that have established and personally maintain their own small private garden at the villa or unit in which they reside. This includes pot gardens. Gardens entered in this category should complement the surrounds of the villa or unit concerned.