With Spring just around the corner, it’s time for the green thumbs of Wollondilly to put on their gloves and get ready for the 2022 Wollondilly Spring Garden Competition.

The annual Garden Competition is a popular event on Council’s calendar, bringing together like-minded community members with a passion for gardening.

Mayor Matt Gould said, “Wollondilly Council has a long and proud history of conducting the Spring Garden Competition, which was established in 1990.”

“We are one of the few local councils still organising and providing a garden competition for our local residents and community.”

“With so many beautiful gardens in the Shire, the Spring Garden Competition is a great way for our local gardeners to showcase their hard work, as well as their love of nature.”

Entries opened on Monday 18 July and will close on Friday 16 September, giving participants extra time to perfect their plots and fill in the entry form, which is available on Council’s website.

This year’s competition includes $1,000 for the Grand Champion.

The first place winner in each category will receive $200; second place in each category will win $100; and there are five judges’ encouragement awards valued at $60.00 each.

The award categories are:

• Best Environmentally Sustainable Garden
• Best Rural Garden
• Best Edible Garden
• Best Senior’s Garden        
• Best Community Garden
• Best School Garden
• Best Small Residential Garden
• Best Flower Garden
• Best Business/Commercial Garden
• Best New Garden
• Best Courtyard Garden
• Best Staff Garden (no prize awarded for this category)
• Best Large Residential Garden
• Best Native Garden

Judging will take place from 26 September until 1 October 2022, with school judging taking place on 22 - 23 September.

An announcement of the winners and a presentation of prizes will take place at Wollondilly’s Garden Expo on Sunday 30 October 2022 at the Picton Botanic Gardens.

More information can be obtained by emailing events@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au or by phoning council on 4677 1100.