Community & Business
1 October, 2024
Biddeston students win best garden
Biddeston State School’s hard-working students have taken home the award for the Best Student garden in this year’s Carnival of Flowers Garden competition.
All of the school’s students were involved in the project with no direct teacher involvement as per the criteria of the competition which states that the Student Garden must be looked after by the students of the school only.
Biddeston State School Principal Dave Doogan paid credit to the work of his students from those in Prep to the seniors in Year 6.
“Our youngest students used a simple grid plan, what colour flowers they wanted to plant,” he said.
“Our 3-4 students planned their gardens around healthy eating, planting lettuce, radishes, snow peas, kale and cherry tomatoes.
“Planning for students was an intensive process that involved consulting garden experts including Penny McKinlay and Mike Wells.
“One of our Mums, Emily Drewett, also provided information about a range of flowers including their size and planting recommendations.
“The process also involved measuring the area and perimeter of gardens.
“Students researched the information provided by the experts and designed gardens based on colour, size and sun/shade requirements of the plants.
“They then developed a shopping list of plants and flowers.”
As per the wider criteria, the garden was judged based on visual impact, health and vigour of the plants, diversity of plant species and maintenance.
Mr Doogan thanked those who helped supply the students with what they needed to succeed.
“The purchase of flowers, plants, pots, hoses and other equipment was generously supported by the P&C and (New) Acland Coal,” he said.
“Once the flowers arrived, we had a team of staff, students and parents who went to work following the plans of the students to create amazing garden spaces for all to enjoy.
“A special mention must go to our amazing cleaner Bloss who worked tiredly with students to prepare, educate and support the process from start to finish.”
The awarding judge for the category was Mathew Langworthy, Grounds and Environment Manager at the University of Southern Queensland.
The school gardens can be viewed from the footpath of 2425 Toowoomba Cecil Plains Road, Biddeston.
Elsewhere in the Carnival, Oakey has an entrant this year, with Judith Maker-Field’s home at 123 Bridge Street open this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.
Kingsthorpe entrant Annette Kingsford’s garden at 34 Gowrie Street is open until the end of carnival season this Sunday September 29th.
Likewise, Shirley Mundt’s garden at 101 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road is also open to the public until the end of Carnival.
The Australian Army Flying Museum on Bawden Boulevard Oakey has entered in the not-for-profit category, and is open to the public from 10am to 3pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
