Pechey resident Shirley Cronk excited to be part of The Chronicle Garden Competition and Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

A Pechey great-grandmother has dealt with hungry wallabies, curious bandicoots, and devastating frost, but is prepared to welcome thousands to her garden next month. See what she has prepared here.

Gardening offers a level of self-expression for long-time Pechey resident Shirley Cronk, who is thrilled to open her piece of heaven to others next month.

Now into her sixth year, The Chronicle Garden Competition 2022 Regional Reserve Champion said the year had provided many hurdles, however she was determined to provide something special for visitors.

“(My favourite thing about the competition is) the different groups of people coming out,” she said.

“It gives me a new lease on life.”

Shirley Cronk.

The homestead, country, family-friendly garden is designed to be a place of relaxation for visitors who can sit among wildlife and nature’s beauty.

“I’ve got a flock of quail who have made their home in the garden,” she said.

“My great grandchildren come, and they’ve got their special play areas in the garden, and I sit down with a cup of tea and The Chronicle in the afternoon and relax on the veranda.”

A devastating frost earlier this year proved challenging for many gardeners, with many of Ms Cronk’s plants black the next morning.

Combined with an array of curious wildlife, Ms Cronk is still in the process of planting and changing her design layouts.

“I haven’t planned anything. I’ve had lots of wallabies coming into the gardens, and the bandicoots are helping me to dig everything up,” she laughed.

“There was one bed I had planted poppies in, and I think I planted those poppies every day for a month. They dug them out every night.”

Reserve Grand Champion for Regional Garden 2022: Shirley Cronk.

Ms Cronk said she hated gardens that looked the same each year and had focused on plants she hadn’t seen in the region for a long time, including the annual Poached Eggs.

“Even if some of the flowers are not colouring for judging, they will be for the carnival,” she said.

“I’m doing this for the love of it, and it’s keeping me healthy.”

Ms Cronk said her garden would be open for public viewing following the carnival as well, with her contact information to be made available at a later date.

Entries for The Chronicle Garden Competition close on August 11 at 2pm, with the judging to commence on September 1 to 7.