Four Christchurch City Council community boards will hold the awards with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.
Entry is free and open for individuals, groups, schools, early learning centres and businesses in the participating areas. The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton, Linwood-Central-Heathcote, Papanui-Innes and Spreydon-Cashmere community boards are all taking entries until Monday, January 20.
City council community governance team manager Matt McLintock said the awards are an opportunity to recognise the hard work of backyard gardeners, school pupils, community groups and local businesses.
“Gardening, being active outside and eating fresh produce are all great habits for people’s health and well-being," Mr McLintock said.
"These awards are a way to recognise people and groups who are rolemodels in their community, and benefiting our environment with their efforts. But the goal is really about having fun and taking part, rather than competition.”
There will be special awards sponsored by Mitre 10, including a prize for best tomatoes, best sustainability feature, best organic garden and best yield.
Garden assessments will be carried out by the Canterbury Horticultural Society. The criteria for judging includes variety of plants, freedom from pests and diseases, general presentation and absence of weeds, innovation, and use of walls, raised beds and containers.
Canterbury Horticultural Society president Ray King said preparing a garden, planting seeds and growing vegetables and fruit successfully is rewarding.
"More so than before, it is important to know where our food comes from. Our gardens do this for us and help us to stay fit at the same time. We always enjoy visiting the gardens and are sure that in 2020 it will be just as enjoyable as in the past."
- Enter online here or phone the city council on 941 8999 to request an entry form. Entries close at 5pm, Monday, January 20.
