Is your garden full of edible goodness?

The hunt is on for Christchurch’s best backyard vegie growers.

Entries have opened for the Edible and Sustainable Garden Awards in both the Linwood-Central Heathcote and Papanui-Innes Community Board areas.

The annual awards recognise the hard work of individuals, schools, early learning centres, community groups and businesses who are working hard to create edible gardens to nourish and sustain themselves and others.

“People have become much more conscious in recent years of where there food comes from and a growing number of people are choosing to grow their own fruit and vegetables,’’ says Christchurch City Council Community Governance Team Manager Matt McLintock.

“The Edible and Sustainable Garden Awards are a way for us to acknowledge the efforts that people are going to grow their own food, so whether you are proud of your peas or delighted with your dill, a first time grower or a seasoned gardener, make sure that you enter,’’ Mr McLintock says.

Once people have submitted their entry, Canterbury Horticultural Society members will arrange to visit the gardens in early 2022.

“They will be able to offer advice and feedback on things like crop rotation and planning, water saving techniques and how to keep weeds down so that next year your garden will be even better,’’ Mr McLintock says.

Previous entrants and award winners are eligible to enter and all entrants will be recognised for their efforts.  

Enter online  or request an entry form by phoning the Council on 03 941 8999. Entries close at 5pm on Monday 10 January.