SJ Garden Competition 

Congratulations to the winners of the SJ garden competition 2023!

The winners of the 2023 SJ Garden Competition are:

CATEGORY

WINNER

Native/Waterwise Garden

Jessica Truesdale

Rural Garden

Jessica Cartwright

Urban Garden

Jose Hoareau

Winner Native/Wasterwise:

Winner Urban:

Winner Rural:

Second - Rural:

Categories

  • Rural Garden: This category is specifically for rural gardens that may not fit into another category.  A rural garden may have a completely different design and feel to an urban garden, and this category recognises this distinction.  A rural garden has a longer frontage and is on a property greater than 2000 square metres (half an acre), with a more rural and often less formal design. Gardens on larger properties may be entered in a different category if it is a better fit.
  • Urban Garden:  An urban garden may be traditional or edible. A traditional garden generally contains typical 'garden' plants chosen for foliage, structure or flowers, with a natural or formal design. An edible garden includes mostly edible plants, which may include vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees.  Additional features that may be included in an edible garden are soil enriched by organic matter and recycling of plant waste via compost, worm farms or other methods. Non-residential gardens, such as fronting businesses or within schools, may be entered in this category.
  • Native/Waterwise Garden:  This category emphasises waterwise features and may include native or non-native plants. A native garden includes mostly native plants, with an emphasis on local native plants, has a more natural, bushland feel, and requires little water.  A waterwise garden has plants that requires little water, which are mostly not native, may have a natural or formal design, and requires little water. Additional features that may be included are mulch, minimisation of lawn, and a water-wise irrigation system if required.

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        Further information

        Eligibility Criteria

        Applicants must reside in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

        Only one application will be accepted per individual. Applications may be made by landholders or by others, with the permission of the landholder.

        Applications not considered eligible for the SJ Garden Competition include:

        • Gardens belonging to Selection Panel members, Sponsors, Elected Members, Council Staff or their immediate families
        • Gardens which are nominated, but whose owner does not wish to participate in the competition

        Judging criteria

        Gardens will be judged by the Selection Panel on the basis of:

        • Overall design
        • Maintenance
        • Plantings
        • Originality and creativity
        • Category specific criteria

        Selection Panel

        Final judging will be carried out by a formal Selection Panel, consisting of:

        • An Elected Member
        • A community representative
        • A Council Staff member

        The Selection Panel will nominate winners based on the eligibility and judging criteria.

        Terms and Conditions

        All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the Selection Panel, whose decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

        First prize will be awarded for each category. A certificate will be presented to all who enter.

        Garden owners agree to allow their gardens to be photographed by a nominated person from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. Photographs may be reproduced in Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale promotional material to be used by the Shire at its discretion.

        If requested, a successful applicant will also be available or willing to make a representative available for publicity purposes either in the local media or in a Shire publication or other promotional material.

        By entering the competition, applicants agree to allow the Selection Panel access to view their garden during business hours, upon appointment. Applicants are encouraged but not required to be present during judging. The Selection Panel may ask the applicant some basic questions about their garden and gardening practices.

        Applicants will be required to submit a completed Garden Competition Application Form by the due date. Application forms will be made available from Council’s website and from the Council offices and may be submitted by email or in person.

        Entry to the SJ Garden Competition is free.

        Multiple category entries are not permitted.

        Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-24

        The SJ Garden Competition aligns with the following themes of our Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-24:

        • Growing healthy and active lifestyles together
        • Growing connected and inclusive communities together
        • Growing safe and sustainable environments together