Community & Business
25 September, 2026
Great gardens to be celebrated
GREEN thumbs can get some recognition for all their efforts, with the 2026 Tablelands Garden Competition now open for entries.
GREEN thumbs can get some recognition for all their efforts, with the 2026 Tablelands Garden Competition now open for entries.
Gardeners located within the Tablelands Regional Council area can enter in any of the seven categories on offer, with the Garden of the Year award to be decided from entries in home or rural garden.
“We’re fortunate to live in such a unique and beautiful region that provides such a diverse range of plant species and produce,” Mayor Kevin Cardew said.
“We’d love to see incred-ible gardens entered from across the Tablelands, show-casing our region and our talented gardeners.”
Categories for the biennial competition are:
Home Garden – Vibrant outdoor spaces using trees, shrubs and climbers where colour comes mainly from flowers and foliage. The whole garden on the home property will be judged.
New Home Garden –The home and garden must both be less than two years old and will be judged against the same criteria as the Home Garden category.
Rural Home Garden – Gardens providing shade and comfortable living spaces incorporating trees, shrubs, colour and the use of natural features. These gardens should be on at least one acre.
Edible Garden – Gardens that produces a variety of edible produce and show effective use of natural resources and materials.
Community Garden – Gardens cultivated by schools, community groups and garden clubs that emphasise the community’s spirit and pride using a combination of trees, shrubs, colour and edible produce.
Commercial Garden – Gardens using trees, shrubs and colour from flowers and foliage to create an aesthetic street frontage. Entrants can include shops, restaurants, caravan parks, B&Bs and motel/resort complexes.
Young Gardener – Unique garden spaces created by gardeners up to 17 years of age who demonstrate a genuine passion and enthusiasm for gardening.
Entries close on 7 October.
A judging panel will visit entered gardens the week commencing 12 October. Following judging, the community will be invited to vote for the “People’s Choice” from 19-23 October.
Winners of first and second places in each category will receive prizes, with an additional prize for Garden of the Year. The awards will be announced at 10am on 29 October at the Disaster Coordination Centre, Atherton.
For more information or to enter your garden, visit trc.qld.gov.au/garden-awards
