Entries open for garden competition until August 25.

Choose the category you wish to enter from this year’s selection: Best residential garden, Best Acreage garden, Best small garden, Best non-residential garden, Best seniors’ garden, Best kids’ garden, and Best Schools Garden – 1. student garden 2. staff garden.

Last year’s Grand Champion winners were Peter and Judie Collier of Bilpin.

Since you’ve got almost two months to get your garden in order before judging, there are a few points to consider on how to get the most bang for your buck timewise. These are some classic guidelines from other competitions that may help you get that winning look.

- Lawns need to have clean, defined edges for a cared-for look. The odd weed in the middle of the bed is nowhere near as important. 

- Have a theme running through your garden – whether it’s a certain colour such as lime-green foliage or purple flowering species, or a certain shape or size repeated, to give the whole a sense of unity without too much rigid uniformity.

- Feel free to have thoughtfully placed statuary but don’t go overboard with them. 

- If your garden is big enough, see if you can create different ‘rooms’ – though this may be hard to do in the seven weeks still available.

All entries go in the running for Grand Champion Garden and Best Regional Gardens. Entries close on Friday, August 25. Judging will take place on Friday to Sunday, September 15-17. Entrants will be notified of the schedule of judging closer to the date. 

Winners will be announced at a special ceremony at Windsor RSL on Wednesday, October 18 at 7pm.

The competition is run by Hawkesbury Council in partnership with Hawkesbury Camera Club and Windsor RSL. To enter, visit Council’s website and search for garden competition. The entry form is the first option. Enquiries: 4560 4444 or email gardencomp@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.