2023 Chronicle Garden Competition: What you need to know for event during Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers

Some exciting changes and new categories have been added to the famous Chronicle Garden Competition, which kicks off again this week. Here’s everything you need to know.

The race is on again to find Toowoomba’s most beautiful garden, with the launch of the famous Chronicle Garden Competition this week.

One of the signature events during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in September, the competition will kick off at a special launch at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on Thursday from 10am.

Founded and sponsored by The Chronicle, the competition pits the best green thumbs against each other to create an incredible network of natural displays.

The gardens will be judged by professional gardener and horticulturalist Claire Bickle, before being opened to the public across two weekends in September.

Bob and Val Ford in their City Grand Champion garden of The Chronicle Garden Competition, Carnival of Flowers 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

This year’s edition includes a number of new categories, including “best floral garden” and a junior prize.

Motels, hotels, caravan parks and Airbnbs can also enter the competition’s new “best accommodation garden” prize.

On top of that, sustainability has now been included into the criteria rather than made its own section, while the city acreage category has been removed.

You can email questions to [e-mail] or call The Chronicle’s administration team on 4688 6661.

The point of contact for entrants is Mike Wells, who can be contacted on 0427 821 478.

Important dates

– August 11, 2pm: applications close

– September 1-7: Judging period

– September 14, 10.30am: Award presentations (venue TBA)

Garden opening dates

– September 15-17, 9am to 5pm

– September 22-24, 9am to 5pm