Creativity blossoms in garden competition

Published on 03 July 2023

Trowels and secateurs across the City of Ryde are poised ahead of the official opening of Council’s much-loved Spring Garden Competition, which gives local green thumbs a chance to show off their amazing outdoor spaces. 

This annual event has been fuelling our gardeners’ skills and creativity for more than 30 years and is one of the few council-run competitions of its kind still in existence. 

Entries are now open until 31 August 2023 in 10 categories that encourage participation from all members of community, showcasing gardens both big and small designed for personal relaxation, for the community, for attracting native animals, or even for eating. 

The categories are: 

• Front gardens: a garden area adjacent to the street which may include an entry gate or pathway leading to the front of the residence.
• Back gardens: a garden area, away from the front of the residence, which may include a swimming pool, children's play area and a deck or terrace for relaxation or entertaining.
• Courtyard or balcony gardens: private residential garden using pots, planter boxes, ornaments, walled gardens etc.
• Edible gardens: vegetable gardens, fruit gardens, permaculture gardens etc.
• Native and habitat-friendly gardens: gardens which feature Australian native plants and include habitat elements to encourage native fauna such as birds, lizards, possums, and insects.
• Local school gardens: gardens within local primary schools, high schools, and pre-schools where students and teachers have worked together.
• Community gardens: garden projects where the local community, groups or community organisations have worked together.
• Commercial gardens: gardens within local businesses and commercial organisations e.g., hotels, retirement villages, commercial premises, small and large businesses, universities etc.
• Bushcare sites: for an outstanding contribution made by a group of volunteers at a recognised Bushcare site.
• Children’s seed growing competition*: Children can enter in the following age brackets: 3-7 years and 8-12 years. The seeds to be grown are Dwarf Sunflowers and free seeds, pot and growing instructions will be available for collection from Eden Gardens, 307 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park, from Tuesday 1 August.

Note: We encourage entries in the Children’s Seed Growing category to be made before Thursday 31 August to allow for maximum seed growing time.

Judging by a panel of garden experts and horticultural professionals will take place during September/October 2023 before the winners are announced on Wednesday 25 October 2023 at Eden Gardens. 

City of Ryde Mayor Sarkis Yedelian OAM encouraged all keen gardeners to get involved in the competition. 

“The Spring Garden Competition is a fantastic opportunity for residents to take a hands-on approach to making our City more beautiful,” he said. 

“It gives the community not only a chance to better our gardens but also to keep active, creative, and engaged. 

“These brilliant outdoor spaces can then bring encouragement and joy to everyone.” 

Find out more