In recognition of how busy teachers are this time of year, the closing date for the Victorian Schools Garden Awards has been extended until Thursday 28 September.

By extending the closing date, we hope to give more schools the opportunity to enter and encourage all schools to read the award categories below and consider entering.

Remember, your school garden does not need to be big or beautiful to enter (thought it might be!). The Victorian Schools Garden Awards celebrate the gardening achievements of students and their school communities in all types of gardens.

The Victorian Schools Garden Awards program recognises, rewards and celebrates the gardening achievements of schools, their students and community in existing and newly established school gardens, while also providing another opportunity for schools to receive funds or products for their school gardens.

The Awards are not necessarily rewarded to the biggest or most beautiful gardens but practical student grown gardens that incorporate learning, community and well-being into their school yards.

▪ There are $44,500 worth of prizes to be won.
▪ Enter one or more of the 11 categories available.
▪ All entries automatically qualify for Regional Awards, and the State and Kevin Heinze Perpetual Awards.
▪ To enter, submit a PowerPoint or video presentation on your garden.

For more information, please visit the Award website menu.  

Entries close Friday 8th September 2023 at 5pm 

This year, the Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) broke the record for both the number of schools/kindergartens applying for a Grant and the number of applications entered, receiving 540 grant entries from 270 schools/kindergartens across the state of Victoria.

The VSGP Committee were busy during the month of May accessing the applications and were extremely impressed by the remarkable garden projects proposed by schools/kindergartens.  Choosing the recipients was not an easy task with many great applications missing out by just a few points. Due to this fact, the VGSP has included an additional 8 Merit Grants to schools who scored extremely well yet were unsuccessful.

The VSGP Committee appreciate the time and effort taken by schools/kindergartens to enter a grant application/s and wish every garden project could be granted.

Click here to see the 2023 VSGP Grants Result

Entries for the 2023 Awards are now open and offer another opportunity for schools to receive vouchers or products for their gardens with $44,000 worth of prizes available to be won.  Awards are not necessarily given to the biggest or most beautiful school gardens, but practical gardens that incorporate learning, community and well-being.  For more information on the Awards, please visit the VSGP Awards Program section for more information.

Bring young minds together to build a Sustainable Scarecrow to ward off critters in the Home Grown Patch at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show 2023.

Scarecrows and other deterrents have long been used in the plant world to ward off unwanted animals from crops as a natural pest control. Demonstrate sustainability, innovation and applied design with S.T.E.M by using reused and recycled materials.

The Sustainable Scarecrows will be showcased in the middle of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, sharing and inspiring the possibility of recycling and reusing for the community.

Kitchen garden prizes for the Best Use of Recycled Materials:

1st – $1,200+ worth of nursery voucher and garden products
2nd – $750+ worth of nursery voucher and garden products
3rd – $500+ worth of nursery voucher and garden products
Public Choice – On site garden consultation with professional designer including garden products (Shapescaper steel garden planters, Quality Plants & Seedlings seedling package, $250 voucher from Warners Nurseries), value of $1,200+.

Please read the Sustainable Scarecrow Competition School Brief for detailed information on entry process.

Summary of Entry Process

Step 1 – Express your interest to enter (help gage number of scarecrows being received)

Step 2 – Register your scarecrows entry – by Friday 17th March (confirms your entry into competition)

Step 3 – Delivery your scarecrow to the show – Thursday 23rd or Friday 24th March 2023.  See brief for details.

Step 4 – Collect your scarecrow – Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4 April 2023

If you have any questions, email vsgp@ngiv.com.au or phone the VSGP office on 9567 0599.