2026 Spring Garden - Seed Growing Competition Registration

Next date: Monday, 03 August 2026 | 08:00 PM to Monday, 31 August 2026 | 05:00 PM

Children's Seed Growing Category

This year, children will challenge each other to see who can grow the best Dwarf Sunflower from seed!

Age brackets for entries will be: 3 to 7 years old and 8 to 12 years old

Once you’ve entered, you can collect your free seed growing kit from our Top Ryde Customer Service Centre. Collection dates run from Monday 27 July to Monday 31 August 2026 during customer service opening hours. 

You can also pick up and plant your seeds at our Planting Party! This will take place at Anderson Park on Sunday July 26^th to launch our Children’s Seed Growing Competition! Seeds, pots, planting mix, and decorating materials will be provided, with lots of music, fun and prizes to be won!

Seed growing tips

Make sure to follow the seed growing instructions provided.

Plant your seeds from 26 July 2026 (not before).

Plant your seeds before 31 August 2026 to allow for maximum seed growing time.

Don’t forget to decorate your pot! The best decorated pot also receives an award.

Competition judges

Competition judging day will be at Lachlan’s Line Auditorium on Friday 30 October. Prizes will be awarded for Best Sunflower and Best Decorated Pot in each age group. You'll be invited to show your grown sunflower and decorated pot to the City of Ryde Mayor and councillors at the 2026 Spring Garden Gala Evening. Light refreshments will be provided.

Key Dates

• Sunday 26 July 2026 - Active Kids Planting Party
• Monday 27 July to Monday 31 August 2026 - Collect your pot and seeds from our Customer Service Centre, 1 Pope Street, Ryde. Located within Top Ryde City Shopping Centre. * You must register for the competition before collecting your seed growing kit.
• 31 August 2026 - Last Day to collect your pot and seeds, entries in the Children’s Seed Growing Competition should be made before this date to allow time to grow your seeds.
• 26 October – 29 October 2026 - If you are unable to make the Gala evening but still want to have your entry Judged. You can deliver your plants early to City of Ryde Operations Centre. From Monday 26th-29th.
• 30 October 2026 - Deliver your plants to Lachlan’s Line Auditorium between 5:00-5:30pm. Winners will be announced between 6:00-6:30pm.

When

Location

This is an online event