News
29 September, 2023
Somerset’s best gardens on show
GREEN thumbs were abound in the Somerset region, with judges having a tough job picking winners in the 2023 Somerset Garden Competition.
The judges were Somerset Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke and Councillor Sean Choat, and Lockyer Valley Regional Councillor Janice Holstein,
The competition is an annual event organised by Somerset Regional Council, and this year it was sponsored by Searles Garden Products.
Cr Choat said the biggest challenge was getting to see all the gardens and keeping to the itinerary.
“In every garden there was so much to see, and we found each one had something of special interest, whether about plants, special features or tricks of the trade. There were moments when judges had to be dragged away from one garden in order to get to the next one.”
Judges weren’t limited to looking at the gardens.
Cr Choat met his daily intake of vitamin C by trying out homegrown citrus fruit, and judges were wary when offered edible nightshade to try, placing their trust in the grower that it wasn’t the deadly variety!
Cr Brieschke thanked all the garden competition entrants for their dedication and effort put into their gardens.
“While it was difficult to be in a judge’s position, I thoroughly enjoyed walking through these lovely gardens.
“It takes skill, time and energy to build and maintain a successful garden, one that’s beautiful to look at, or one that reflects its owners’ particular passion. I congratulate everyone who entered, you should all be very proud.”
Entrants and award winners were recognised at a special celebration at Esk on Tuesday September 26, with awards presented by Mayor Graeme Lehmann and competition judges.
Competition winners were:
Best Rural Garden – Faye Craddock, Rosevale, 1548 Crows Nest Road, Biarra.
Best Urban Garden – Cheryl and David Parker, 7 Nidus Court, Fernvale.
Best Business Garden – Esk Caravan Park, 16 Hassall Street, Esk.
Best Community Group Garden – West Moreton Landcare, Lowood Section of Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
Best Edible Garden – Roman Spur, 8 Osmund Court, Fernvale.
Best Native Garden – Linda and Rick Austin, 4 Hinze Road, Minden.
Best Waterwise Garden – Vivienne Hay, 149 Windsor Drive, Mount Hallen.
Best Upcycled/Repurposed Garden – Michele Rowse, 37 Francis Terrace, Esk.
Encouragement Prizes were awarded to:
Best Rural Garden – Carol Blacklock, 822 Kangaroo Creek Road, Moore.
Best Urban Garden – Heather Shelton, 36 Ethel Street, Kilcoy.
The gardens will be showcased to the community via an open garden weekend held on October 7 and 8 between 9am and 2pm on both days.
Cr Choat thanked the entrants for opening their gardens to the public for viewing during the open garden weekend.
“An immense amount of time and effort goes into preparing these gardens and I commend everyone for sharing their love and passion for their gardens with the broader community,” he said.
