Calling all green-fingered gardeners and scarecrow makers: Take part in this summer’s competitions

Salisbury City Council is hosting an array of competitions for keen green-fingered gardeners, savvy scarecrow makers, and tender allotment tenants this summer.

The City Garden Competition is open to anyone with a garden in the city – private gardeners, pubs, community groups, B+Bs, and schools.

Gardens are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold awards and the competition is open to all.

The gardens are judged on criteria that range from quality of plants to good environmental practice and problem-solving.

“We would love you to get involved whether at the start of a project or with a well-established garden,” said a spokesperson for Salisbury City Council.

For the Scarecrow Competition families, community groups and organisations are encouraged to use their imaginations to create a colourful character in their garden or even using a balcony or indoor space.

Although the judging will take place in July, a photograph of your scarecrow can be taken at any time –“So if you make one at school or as a holiday activity, just let us know and we’ll pop along and see it,” say Salisbury City Council.

Finally, it’s not too late for allotment tenants to enter their plot into the annual Allotment Competition.

Prizes are given on all the city sites and plots are judged on a range of criteria from tidiness and environmental practice to the range of produce grown. Plots will be awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards – and Wardens’ Awards will also be given on each site.

Prize winners are invited to an Awards Ceremony at the Guildhall in September, which is a chance to socialise with other gardeners as well as receive certificates.

The competitions are open to those in the parish of Salisbury and an entry form and full terms and conditions can be found here. Alternatively please ring the Parks Department on 01722 342860 or email parks@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk.

The deadline for entries for all the competitions is Friday 3rd June 2022 and judging will be mid-July.

Contact the Parks Department on the above email if you have any questions.