From balcony herbs to backyard veggie patches (and even that one wonky carrot your kids are weirdly proud of), everyday food growing is being celebrated in a big way with the 2026 Grow It Local Awards — and local families are encouraged to enter.

These fun, feel-good awards shine a spotlight on home-grown produce across Australia, whether you’re growing tomatoes with the kids, tending a school veggie patch, or nurturing herbs on a sunny windowsill. Best of all? Entry is free and open to gardeners of all experience levels.

So whether you’re harvesting ripe veggies, laughing at crooked carrots, or proudly naming your backyard chook, there’s a category just for you.

🌼 Fun Award Categories to Enter

There are six creative categories, each with prizes to win:

  • Why I Love My Patch Award

  • Homegrown Harvest Award

  • Best Chicken Name Award (a favourite with kids!)

  • Patch to Plate Award

  • Wonkiest Vegetable Award

  • Local Grower Award*

* The Local Grower Award is judged by council area, with one winner selected from each local government area across Australia. All other categories are judged nationally.

Winners receive national recognition, seed packs for the next growing season, and category-specific prizes.

🌿 How to Enter (Waverley LGA)

To be eligible for the Local Grower Award in Waverley, simply:

  1. Post a photo or video of your garden on Instagram or Facebook

  2. Mention the award category in your caption

  3. Tag @waverleycouncil and @growitlocal

  4. Use the hashtag #GrowItLocalAwards2026

No social media? No worries. You can also enter by emailing your photo or video to
📧 communications@waverley.nsw.gov.au

You can enter multiple categories, as long as each entry features different content.

🌱 Who Can Enter?

All Australian food growers are welcome — including those growing in:

  • Backyards

  • Balconies and courtyards

  • Community or school gardens

  • Windowsills and small spaces

📅 Entries close at midnight on 15 February 2026, so grab the kids, head outside, and snap a photo of your growing patch. You never know — your family garden could be award-winning!

For more information visit: www.waverley.nsw.gov.au

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by jay