The Chronicle Garden Competition
For over seven decades, The Chronicle Garden Competition has been a beloved event during Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers, celebrating the passion, creativity, and dedication of local gardeners.
From first-time entrants to long-time competitors, this event showcases Toowoomba’s most spectacular gardens, inviting both locals and visitors to experience the beauty of our region.
Thinking of entering?
If you love gardening and want to be part of this iconic competition, now’s your time. Enter your garden and be in the running for prestigious prizes.
Enter Your Garden
Coming to explore?
Whether you're a local or just visiting, now's a perfect time to explore Toowoomba. Discover more or read our frequently asked questions below.
Read Our Blog FAQs
Key Dates
Gardens opening times and dates:
Friday 19 Sept – Sunday 28 Sept 9am-5pm
Option to open gardens for two long weekends
(Friday 19 Sept – Sunday 21 Sept and Friday 26 Sept - Sunday 28 Sept 2025)
Applications Close:
5pm on 8 August 2025
Judging Commences:
1 September 2025
Presentation:
10.30am, Thursday 18 September 2025
Venue to be confirmed
Residential Options for Entry
Front or Back Garden only
The front garden will be judged back to any dividing fence or natural screen, but no further than the back corners of the house. The back garden will be judged forward to any dividing fence or natural screen, but no further than the front corners of the house.
Floral Garden
Open to whole of garden, front garden, or back garden options.
Judging will be based on the predominance of flowering annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees, visual impact, colour combinations, plant selection and placement, plant health and vigour and the use of sustainable practices.
Footpath Garden
As per Toowoomba Regional Council Guidelines, Self-Assessment is available Checklist SLL 1.1 — Alteration or improvement to local government area or road — Vegetation on council controlled area and road/footpath gardens). Footpath garden no wider than 500mm on front boundary of property.
Small Space (under 80m2) Unit / Courtyard / Balcony / Pergola / Shadehouse / Potted Plant Collection
Use of live plants in these areas essential.
Productive Area
Garden area comprising edible plants such as vegetables, herbs, and/or fruit trees, vines and bushes.
Over 70 years Gardener
Open to entrants who are 70 years of age or older.
Under 45 year old Gardener
Open to entrants who are 45 years of age or younger.
First Time Entry – Garden only
Open to any sized garden which has not previously been entered by the current owner in the competition. Entrants cannot win this category if the property has been purchased from a previous Garden Entrant who has won any class or option in the last three years.
Not sure if you are in the city or regional classes?
Check out our boundary map to see which class you are in.
View Map
Commercial, Not For Profit, School Gardens, Students’ Gardens and CBD Businesses Categories for Entry
CBD Business Premises
Open to all businesses within the Toowoomba CBD — (as far West as Victoria Street, as far East as Hume street, as far North as Russell Street, as far South as Herries Street. Shop front decorations must be viewable from the footpath and be in the spirit of the Chronicle Garden Competition to include gardening themes, use of colour. Real plants/flowers are not necessary for this category, but community spirit is.
Need help choosing your category?
Our team are more than happy to help with your garden competition category.
Call 0427 821 478 Contact Us
