Let’s grow together Bermuda! Join us as we celebrate the excellence of gardening, encourage local food production, and work towards sustainability.

About the Competition

The Grow Eat Save gardening program facilitated by Chaplin Kevin J.T. Santucci in partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Parks is coordinating an island wide parish garden competition in the community.  Gardening has many positive aspects, it doesn’t only help to improve one’s physical and mental health, but it also increases availability, accessibility and affordability of fruits and vegetables for our families. Gardening is an effective and promising method to maintain a self-sufficient food supply to address food insecurity by increasing access to nutritious food.

It is our hope Bermuda residents will engage in this competition to celebrate the excellence of gardening, to recognize the passion of growing and to work together towards sustainability.  We encourage everyone to grow their own food, and this competition will be the ideal opportunity to show-off the fruits of your labour.

How to Enter

Participation is FREE.
To enter the 2026 competition:

1. Register Online: Complete your registration between 19th January and 13th February 2026.

    Start your entry here: https://forms.office.com/r/p1pDdVvZqk 

2. Grow Your Garden: The competition begins on 16th February 2026 and runs through 15th May 2026.
    
3. Submit Photos & Description: Between 18th–22nd May 2026, participants must submit:
   • Before photo of your garden
   • Top and side views of your garden
   • A brief description (tools, plants, techniques)
   • Bonus: Photos of your produce at the Agricultural Show (23–25 April)
4. Judging: May 25 – June 5, 2026
    
5. Awards Ceremony: Winners revealed on 11th June 2026.

Competition Categories

You may enter one or more of the following:

• Community Garden (a group of individuals who look after a garden that is shared, divided into plots or a community group)
• School Garden (gardens within local pre, primary, middle, and high schools where students and teachers have worked together)
• Non-Traditional Garden (includes vertical, wall,  aquaponics, hydroponic, raised, containers, balconies, pots, and planters)
• Large garden (10’ x 10’ or larger)
• Small garden (less than 10’ x 10’)

Judging Criteria

Judging will be based on but not limited to the following:

• Maintenance: Plot is free from disease, pest and weeds.  Plot is well maintained and tidy.
• Design: Plot Layout should be practical and workable. Maximum use of the garden area. Permeant fruit trees, herbs or shrub placement etc.
• Intent: the active participation of the entrant, level of knowledge and enthusiasm and extent of third-party assistance.
• Sustainability: Plot utilizes and/or has compost bins/heaps, uses recycled material and may have animals or chickens
• Other: Plot has flower boarders, flowering shrubs or herbs.

Important Dates

Key Dates

Ready to Enter?

Join a growing tradition that celebrates health, community and Bermuda’s beautiful gardens.