Hume in Bloom Gardening Competition was a riot of colour and community spirit.

The atmosphere at Hume's annual gardening competition is both amicable and intense, with customers armed with watering cans, secateurs, and bags of seeds and fertilizers vying passionately to clinch victory in the annual Hume in Bloom gardening competition. Now in its second year, the event showcased 25 stunning gardens, each embodying the dedication and expertise of diligent Hume customers who have honed their gardening skills.

Hume in Bloom, a green initiative, aspires to foster a sense of property pride and care by celebrating gardening prowess. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to our exceptional customers, with special thanks extended to our generous sponsors and donors—The Diggers Club, Vegepod, Maitland Council, and Bunnings.

The daunting task of selecting the best gardens falls on our judging panel, which includes representatives from our esteemed sponsors. To witness the triumphs in various categories, have a look at the photos below, showcasing both individual and group winners.

The competition has recognized 11 individual winners (some with shared prizes) and four outstanding groups of customers tending to community gardens. Prizes range from Bunnings vouchers and gardening products to seeds, vegebags, and growing charts.

And now, the moment of celebration…

 

Overall Winner: Willan Dr Community Garden, securing a $400 Bunnings Voucher. The team will collaborate with Hume's Cohesion Officer in the upcoming year to elevate the garden and engage more customers.

Best Balcony:

Kathleen from Telopea

Tourkom from Telopea

Nawal from Fairfield

(Sponsored by Vegepod)

Best Garden:

Margret from Metford

Belinda from Macquarie Fields

Pam from East Maitland and Jessica from Metford

Best Edible Garden:

Fares from Fairfield

Bill from Telopea and Richard from East Maitland (tied)

Peter from Fairfield

(Sponsored by The Diggers Club)

Best Community Garden:

Shortland St

Alexandra Av (Eastern Section)

George St

Highly Commended:

Kathleen from East Maitland

Carmen Janelle and Lindsey from Morpeth

Jen O’H from Woodberry

All other participants receive a Certificate of Appreciation.

We extend our gratitude to our judges, including representatives from the Diggers Club, Vegepod, Community Greening, and Hume. Special thanks are also due to Hume's dedicated employees—Richard Hershman, Ben Leauanae, Fraya Finlayson, and Julie Davenport—who contribute significantly to the success and enjoyment of the competition for our customers.

Let's hear what our sponsors and supporters had to say about this year's entries:

Rachel Blazey - The Diggers Club:

"It's wonderful to hear what different people are getting from the experience and will continue to achieve with time and perseverance. It's all about the journey and including others so we are connecting and creating community.”

Melanie Athan - Vegepod:

"Such high-quality entrants this year, and I especially enjoyed seeing people taking care of themselves and their properties."

Supporter – Phil Pettit, Botanical Gardens

“I really enjoy seeing how much gardening means to everyone, they all work hard and it’s nice to work hand in hand with Hume on the programs. A great outcome. I especially like that people are growing their own food, taking pride in their homes, creating safe spaces and creating joy and enhancing their mental wellbeing”.