Spring is just around the corner, so it’s time for the green thumbs of Wollondilly to put on their gloves, sign up and get ready for the 2023 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.

The 2023 competition will culminate in a presentation and celebration at Wollondilly’s annual garden and plant fair, BLOOM, later in the year.

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

“We are one of the few local councils still organising a garden competition for our community, and through the years it has been running have seen our local gardeners persevere through challenges such as drought, bushfires and floods.”

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

Entries opened on Monday 17 July and will close on Friday 22 September. The entry form is available on Council’s website www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/events-and-community/annual-events/garden-competition/

This year’s Grand Champion will walk away with a $1,000 prize. The first-place winner in each category will receive $200; second place in each category will win $100; and up to five judges’ encouragement awards will share $300.

The award categories are:

• Best Environmentally Sustainable Garden
• Best Seniors Garden
• Best Small Residential Garden
• Best New Garden
• Best Large Residential Garden
• Best Rural Garden
• Best Community Garden
• Best Flower Garden
• Best Courtyard Garden
• Best Native Garden
• Best Edible Garden
• Best Business/Commercial Garden
• Best Verge Garden

Judging will take place from 9 October until 13 October 2023.

An announcement of the winners and a presentation of prizes will take place at BLOOM: Wollondilly Garden Expo and Plant Fair 2023 on Sunday 5 November at the Picton Botanic Gardens.