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
  • 8 to 12 years old

Seeds are kindly donated by Mr. Fothergill's Seeds.

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

You can also pick up and plant your seeds at our Planting Party! This will take place at Anderson Park on Sunday July 26th 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!

Enter the Seed Growing Competition

As part of the 2026 Spring Garden Competition, City of Ryde is pleased to provide fantastic educational opportunities to increase your green thumbs! Be sure to check out our NEW Spring Garden Educational Series, FREE for all City of Ryde Residents!

Spring Garden Educational Series

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.

Entries will be judged by a panel of horticulturalists and garden judges. Judging criteria will be:

  • Overall condition of the plant/s
  • Free from pests and disease
  • Height of plant
  • Number of flowers
  • Diameter of flowers
  • Best decorated pot

Important information

  • You must register for the competition before collecting your seed growing kit.
  • Present a printout of your entry confirmation to collect your free seed growing kit. There is a limit of one seed growing kit per child.
  • You must use the supplied seeds and follow supplied growing instructions.
  • You cannot use any hydroponic, artificial growth hormones, hot houses, or artificial lights.
  • If a child enters multiple plants, they will only be considered for a single place/prize. That is, they can’t win more than one place or prize in their age bracket.

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.

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