Gates open for Somerset’s best gardens
Published on 23 September 2025
2025 Somerset Garden Competition award winners and judges.
SOMERSET Regional Council is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Somerset Garden Competition, with vibrant and captivating displays making for an incredible Open Gardens Weekend over 27 and 28 September.
The annual Somerset Garden Competition celebrates spring by inviting gardeners to put the most vibrant displays of plants forward for their share in a $3,500 prize pool.
Thanks to event major sponsor Searles, the leading market innovator in the home garden industry, all entrants received a signature Searles gift pack.
Somerset Councillors Sally Jess and Michael Bishop joined guest judge Carolyn Blacklock to tour Somerset’s gardens over 16 and 17 September, followed by the award presentation held Tuesday, 23 September.
Cr Jess said each entry featured vibrant displays of colourful flowers and carefully curated, striking and harmonious designs.
“Many gardens also embraced sustainability, with upcycled materials creatively incorporated into their layouts – everything from repurposed furniture to reclaimed timber and recycled pots,” Cr Jess said.
“This added a wonderful layer of character and environmental consciousness to the gardens.”
Cr Jess said it was great to see eight new entrants joining the competition in 2025.
“The new entrants all brought fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a wonderful enthusiasm for gardening,” Cr Jess said.
Cr Bishop commented on the improvements made by returning entrants.
“It was inspiring to see the growth and changes in some gardens, including a few prize-winning entrants from last year,” Cr Bishop said.
“The most outstanding gardens had both soft and colourful sections with lots of mass plantings combined with large shade trees.
“Some gardens were created in very difficult places, where smart use of water and careful plant choices turned harsh land into beautiful, captivating spaces.”
The 2025 Somerset Garden Competition Open Gardens Weekend invites residents and visitors to Somerset to explore the region’s best gardens, open from 9am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, 27-28 September.
More information on the Open Gardens Weekend, including locations, can be found on Council’s website: somerset.qld.gov.au/somersetgardencompetition
2025 Somerset Garden Competition Award Recipients:
Best Urban Garden winner: Rick and Linda Austin of 4 Hinze Road, Minden.
Best Urban Garden encouragement award: Michele Rowse of 37 Francis Terrace, Esk (bonus award: Best Upcycled/Repurposed Garden).
Best Rural Garden winner: Fay Craddock of 1548 Crows Nest Road ‘Rosevale’, Biarra (bonus award: Best Floral Garden).
Best Rural Garden encouragement award: Vicki Sweedman of 25 Alma Court, Villeneuve (bonus award: Judge’s Choice).
Best Tiny Garden winner: Peter Bevan from Pete’s Hobby Nursery at 12 Patrick Street, Lowood (bonus award: Best Habitat Garden).
Best Tiny Garden encouragement award: QCWA Esk Branch for the CWA Hall on 5 Heap Street, Esk.
Best First Time Entrant winner: Kerrie and Grahame MacDonald of 36 Hedley Drive, Woolmar.
Best First Time Entrant encouragement award: Daph Johnstone of 10 Victoria Street, Toogoolawah.
Bonus award – Best Sustainable Garden: Roman Spur of 8 Osmund Court ‘Spurtopia’, Fernvale.
Rick and Linda Austin of Minden won the Best Urban Garden category in the 2025 Somerset Garden Competition.
Fay Craddock of Biarra won the Best Rural Garden category and the Best Floral Garden bonus category.
Vicki Sweedman of Villeneuve won the Best Rural Garden encouragement award and the Judge’s Choice bonus category.
Peter Bevan from Pete’s Hobby Nursery in Lowood won the Best Tiny Garden category and Best Habitat Garden bonus category.
Kerrie (pictured) and Grahame MacDonald of Woolmar won the Best First Time Entrant category.
Michele Rowse of Esk won the Best Urban Garden encouragement award and the Best Upcycled/Repurposed Garden bonus category.
Roman Spur of Fernvale won the Best Sustainable Garden bonus category.