The Schools Gardening Competition is held every year and supports SALGA’s object, namely the advancement of education in horticulture and to promote, encourage and improve horticulture.
Some of the categories have been changed for the 2024 competition, with the cup being awarded for the best 1 metre square planter. The change has been introduced because it is difficult to judge between schools that have different sized plots and resources.
Competition categories, judging and entry
- The Schools Trophy for the most imaginative and attractive raised 1 metre square, planter, demonstrating well looked after plants and pupil involvement (could be made from wood from a pallet);
- The Endeavour Cup for best entry by children with additional needs.
- Large School Garden
- Small School Garden
- Best vegetable planting
- Best fruit planting
- Best floral planting
We will contact schools again in June to ask if you want to enter the competition and, if so, for pictures of your garden projects. We will draw up a shortlist from these photos, and arrange for our judges to visit in July to see how you have got on. Pots, planters, raised beds or garden area will all be considered. The winners will be invited to SALGA’s Annual Show which this year takes place on Saturday 31 August 2024.
To enter please email salgacontacts@gmail.com
Additional help
If you would like some seeds to help you to get started, let us know. We have some ‘Magic’ Climbing Peas – including ‘Purple Magnolia ‘Sugar snap’’, which has strong hyper-tendrils that cling well and support the long, climbing stems that grow to approx 1.8cm (70”). This plant is ideal for schools as it’s colourful, easy, attractive, hardy and sweet from the vine raw for classroom tasting. It can be harvested from June with Feb/March sowing.
We have started a WhatsApp Group for school gardeners to share ideas and advice. Please let us know if you would like to join. You can also follow this link to a youtube webinar about how to obtain additional funding for garden projects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?