Director of the ABC
Learning Centre in
Shoalhaven: Georgina Karipidis, with children
in the front garden.
Previous articles in this series:
"Reap Success by growing for local conditions"
Read more..
"Local Residents apply 'personality'
to overcome the challenging aspects
of Their garden"
Read more..
"Colourful results from growing 'what works"
Read more..
Mawson Lakes Garden Competition:
Click here for entry form
Click here for more
information
Click here to email
organisers |
The fourth in a series of 'getting to know our gardening neighbours'..
'Children map their garden'*
Attractive landscaping surrounds the ABC Learning Centre at Mawson Lakes North, beautified by eucalypts, flowering plums, small magnolias, lillipillies and a variety of non-toxic groundcover. The Centre has entered the 2010 Mawson Lakes Garden Competition as a non-residential garden.
ABC director, Georgina Karipidis, said the teachers will use the competition as a stimulus for the children to map the large garden surrounding their buildings and car park and identify the trees and plants.
“This will be part of our science and environment curriculum for our pre-kindergarten class,” she said. “We aim to finish the project by October when the judging takes place.”
“Children love watching plants grow, particularly ones they can eat,” said Georgina. “In summer we grow vegetables and fruit such as mint, parsley, tomatoes and strawberries which we include in our kids kitchen cooking classes.”
*© Article & photograph supplied by Linda Vining, organiser of the 2010 Mawson Lakes Garden Competition.
This information from the Mawson Lakes Gardening Competition Committee:
"Judging of the Mawson Lakes Garden Competition will kick off as soon as spring opens the first blooms and Mawson Lakes bursts into colour."
The competition is a free fun community event designed to encourage people to brighten up the neighbourhood. Judges will be looking for gardens that enhance the streetscape throughout Mawson Lakes in the various villages.
Organiser and resident, Linda Vining, says the competition is open to residential and non-residential sites such as businesses, schools and community parks. Apartments and balconies can enter the small garden category.
“The aim is to enhance the environment of Mawson Lakes, making it a more beautiful place for everyone to enjoy as they drive and walk through the suburb,” she said.
There are several categories to choose from that cater for all sizes of gardens. In addition there are categories for water-wise gardens, rockery and pebble gardens and the best rose display.
Judges will view gardens from the street or pathway only. Front and side streetscapes are eligible, but not backyards. The 'streetscape' includes the length of the garden, house and driveway. A garden includes the verge.
“A garden might have quite simple plantings but the overall impact on the street scene could be very pleasing,” said Dr Vining.
Judges will be looking for facets of interest such as pots, pebbles, water features, garden furniture and outdoor ornaments. They will take into account garden elements such as the letterbox, doormat, benches and driveways.
A garden may be created and maintained by the resident or owner or by a contractor, and it may be a newly established site or a mature garden.
Plaques will be presented in each of the categories to winners and runners-up and there will be a number of merit awards. Awards will be presented on Wednesday, 10 November 2010 at 8pm at The Mawson Centre.
The closing date for entry is 2 October 2010 and judges will conduct inspections throughout October.
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