Gardening competitions are becoming more and more popular as time passes. With gardening being such a popular hobby in the US, the UK and several European countries, it is a natural that contests would emerge.

It is quite common in Germany to see small plots of ground far away from residential areas that people rent on a yearly basis just for gardening. In this way those who live in apartments are even able to garden, and competitions are growing more frequent for them.

Vegetable and Flower Garden Competitions

In the US and the UK both gardening competitions can be either flower gardens or vegetable gardens. As an example, in a vegetable garden competition prizes may be awarded for the best tomato of an heirloom variety as well as the best hybrid. The same will be true of corn, squash, various types of beans and legumes, and a wide variety of other vegetables. Of course of the great things about having a vegetable garden is, even if you don't win the award you still get to eat the vegetables afterwards.

Flower gardens are a different story altogether since few people would actually want to eat the flowers they produce. They do however produce beautiful flowers with wonderful scents that please the senses. In flower garden competition prizes may be awarded for the best rose bush, the best orchid, the best geranium, and so on. Some competitions become more specified and may even divide roses for example into the different subspecies. Of course this has the same types of roses competing against each other rather than the old "apples against oranges" competition you get with more inclusive competition.

Various classes of gardens are graded on quality by judges who are usually accomplished gardeners in their own right. Towns, villages and counties often have fairs and festivals that include gardening competitions, and in rural areas they can be the highlight of the season. Rock gardens and water features are also included.

Special Categories in Comptetitions

Additionally senior citizens and children often have special categories to enter in the competition. Add to that the common judges choice award from among all gardens entered, and the chances of winning recognition for all of the hard work that goes into gardening - truly a labor of love for many - goes up tremendously.