It's time to dig in and get your green fingers busy in preparation for the 2011 Betascapes Spring Garden Spectacular!

This year's competition is set to launch on 21 June 2011 in search of a "Grand Champion" garden and a runner up, from the 10 categories this year which include Best Native Garden, Best Water Efficient Garden, Best Corporate Garden and Best School Garden.

Chair of Council's Community Development and Customer Service Committee, Deputy Mayor Cr Rose Swadling encouraged green thumbs throughout the Region to enter this year's competition.

Cr Swadling also welcomed the addition of two new categories. "In good news for our senior residents, a new category is open this year to residents of retirement villages/seniors' complexes for Best Private Garden in a Seniors' Complex and for those who have worked hard to restore their gardens post floods, a special category for Best Flood Recovery Garden," Cr Swadling said.

Cr Swadling said that as the judges will also reserve the right to grant encouragement awards for each of the categories, it's worth entering the competition even if you feel your garden isn't in peak condition to take out the 'Grand Champion' award.

Chair of Council's Sport and Recreation Committee, Cr Cherie Rutherford said entry is open to residents from all locations within the Rockhampton Regional Council region.

"This is a wonderful annual gardening competition, giving the leading green thumbs in our community an opportunity to be rewarded for their gardening prowess, with thousands of dollars in vouchers up for grabs," Cr Rutherford said.

"I know we're proud of our gardens and our communities - let's put that pride on show for the 2011 Betascapes Spring Garden Spectacular!" she said.

Nomination forms will soon be available from Rockhampton Regional Council Customer Service Centres, here on Council's website and from selected nurseries and category sponsors.

There's plenty of time to enter your garden in the 2011 Betascapes Spring Garden Spectacular, with nominations to close at 4pm on Wednesday 31 August 2011. Nomination forms can be placed in entry boxes at Council's Customer Service Centres or posted to Rockhampton Regional Council, PO Box 1860 Rockhampton, Qld, 4700.

Judging will take place between 5 and 9 September 2011 with winners announced on Saturday 10 September 2011.

Winners will be required to open their gardens between the hours of 8am and 3pm on Sunday 18 September for viewing by residents who wish to visit.