Judith Sleijpen is on the lookout for gardens that spark joy. The returning judge for the 2026 North Sydney Garden Competition wants to know why your green space matters to you and which plants bring you special moments of happiness. The size of the garden does not matter. What counts is the feeling it creates.
Entries for the annual competition, run by North Sydney Council, opened on 15 July and close on Friday 28 August. The free event welcomes residents, schools and community groups across the North Sydney local government area. With 11 categories, from balconies and courtyards to native habitats and community edible plots, there is a place for every gardener. First-time gardeners are explicitly encouraged to take part.
“I’d love to know why your green space is important to you and if some plants bring you special times of enjoyment,” Ms Sleijpen said.
The competition’s categories cover every possible garden type. Balcony Gardens are for paved areas with pots and planter boxes, perfect for apartment residents working with limited space. Courtyard Gardens suit ground-level residences like villas and townhouses. Indoor Gardens range from small pot plant collections to full atriums. The Children’s Garden category is open to young people, schools and childcare centres. Most Beautiful Garden can be front, back or both. Native Habitat Gardens encourage local fauna with hollows, frog ponds and dense undergrowth. Edible Garden prizes are split between Private and Community efforts. The Lex and Ruby Graham prizes honour individuals and groups beautifying public land. A Judge’s Special Award will recognise exceptional creativity or innovation.
A garden can be entered in several categories, so a courtyard that also attracts native birds can compete in both Courtyard and Native Habitat sections. Just be sure to submit one entry per category.
Anyone in the North Sydney LGA can enter for free before 28 August. Judging runs from 7 to 17 September, with winners revealed at the Awards Ceremony on Friday 25 September. Prizes include gardening tools and garden-themed rewards.
If you are a first-timer or live in a unit, do not assume the competition is only for grand backyards. The dedicated balcony and courtyard categories are judged as carefully as any other, and the judges are looking for creativity, not scale.
This year’s event continues a beloved local tradition, seen in similar form in 2025 and 2023, with the same inclusive structure and the return of Ms Sleijpen. What sets it apart from other garden shows is its focus on community: the Lex and Ruby Graham prizes for public space beautification, and the Community Edible Garden category, celebrate efforts that everyone in the neighbourhood can enjoy.
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North Sydney Council
The local government authority for the North Sydney area on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. It runs community events, manages parks and planning, and hosts the annual Garden Competition to promote environmental stewardship and neighbourhood pride.
When the winners are announced on 25 September, the council will also be looking for the next generation of green thumbs. The Children’s Garden category is ready to spot young talent. The only step is to enter before 28 August, and to remember that a garden that sparks joy, no matter its size, could be the one that wins.