Gifted gardeners invited to open their gates!
The 2024 Laidley Spring Festival Garden Competition is set to sprinkle its colourful magic in September, and now’s the time for local plant whisperers and garden enthusiasts to sign up.
President of the Laidley Garden Club, Eileen Zahnow encouraged green thumbs of both established and new gardens to enter the competition and share their labour of love with visitors to the festival.
During the Laidley Spring Festival, the Laidley Garden Club is keen to showcase the stunning gardens of the region, whether they be small residential gardens, rural gardens, community gardens, commercial gardens or novice gardens,” she said.
“Whether you’re someone who loves pottering around the backyard, or are thinking of trying your hand, this is your opportunity to meet other like-minded enthusiasts and showcase your hard work.”
For the first time, the gardens will be accessible across four days from 4 to 8 September, which allows visitors the chance to extend their stay and explore these botanical wonderlands at their own pace, before joining in the many lively events that are planned when the festival officially kicks off on 6 September.
Entries to the competition are now open, with judging taking place on 22 and 23 August and winners announced on Friday 30 August. Gardens will be judged on maintenance, design, intent, natural environment and creativity.
The lucky winner will receive the Heather King Grand Champion Trophy, which honours Laidley Garden Club Life Member and Patron Heather King, who has been involved with the festival since its inception in 1963.
Along with the perpetual Heather King trophy, the Grand Champion will receive a $500 Pohlmans Nursery voucher, with category winners receiving a $150 Pohlmans Nursery voucher. There are also $75 prize vouchers for runners-up in each category.
Mrs Zahnow said visitors were not only drawn to the region to admire the beautiful spaces, but also to uncover the best kept secrets and handy tips from the passionate gardening gurus behind the creations.
“If visitors want to know more about the best plants to grow, or learn about different gardening methods and landscaping, it’s best to talk to those who have spent countless hours perfecting their own little slice of paradise,” she said.
“People who enter the competition love spending time in their garden, so they know the best blooms to grow, how often you should be watering, and the best tools to use.”
Assistant General Manager of Pohlmans Nursery, Brianna Smith said they were once again proud to be the major sponsor of the Garden Competition.
“We have been part of this community for more than four decades, and we love being able to give back to the community by sponsoring these great events,” she said.
“We love meeting people who have travelled to the Lockyer Valley to experience the festival and who pop into our nursery to pick up a few things to take home with them.”
With the countdown on to this year’s festivities, Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said she was excited for the Garden Competition to kickstart the festivities early and allow a few extra days for people to pack up the car and immerse themselves in the Lockyer Valley.
“In addition to exploring the gardens, you can also seek out our beautiful townships, pick up some bargains in our boutique stores, sample the Lockyer Valley’s local produce at an assortment of cafes and restaurants, and then rest your head at one of our many comfortable accommodation providers, all before the festival ramps up from 6 to 8 September,” Mayor Milligan said.
Those wishing to register their garden should visit www.laidleyspringfestival.com/register-garden-comp.
Registrations close Friday 2 August.
The 2024 Laidley Spring Festival Garden Competition is supported by Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Pohlmans Nursery, The Lockyer Valley and Somerset Independent and River 94.9.