Garden Competitions

All gardens require basic cleanup and maintenance: clean the trash, pull weeds, cut the grass. Depending on what style garden competition you are going for, you may also need to remove all the existing plants and trees as well.

To increase stars for 'Layout' consider the garden separated into eight areas around the house (right, middle and left on each side of the building). Position your items / plants to achieve balance and point of interest in each area.

The American Garden

Probably one of the easiest in the competition (besides the Crop Garden). They like conifers and lots of them. You will want to have a deck to enjoy being in the great outdoor. Think rest and relaxation. The equipment may be mix and matched per preference or go all out for the highest score.

Layout: group like items together.

Plants	Equipment
Conifer plants (plant at least 3 varieties of non-shaped bushes) Lots and lots of ornamental grass	A patio/deck (an area with paving tiles) 1 Gazebo 1 BBQ grill 1 Pizza Oven 1 to 2 Umbrellas 4 Sun chairs 1 Hammock 4 to 6 Outdoor Gym Items 1 Pool At least 1 couch At least 2 armchairs 1 table Outdoor cinema screen Projector

The Crop Garden

The rules are simple in this competition, all plants have to yield something edible.

Layout: group like foods together. Think of real life gardens and orchards. The judges also like functional décor relating to gardens and things being trimmed in wood or stone. Remove most of the grass and use gravel or wood chips.

Plants	Equipment
Vegetables (for the sake of the game; tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, etc are veggies and not fruit) Fruit bearing vines and bushes Fruit bearing trees (1 of each should be fine)	Storage shed 4 Compost Bins 4 to 5 Scarecrows 2 Shovels Sprinklers between rows of plants Dirt plots for small plants like carrots and strawberries Chicken coop

The English Garden

This is reportedly the most difficult to get all 3 categories 5 stars in, primarily the equipment category.

Layout: Organic. Lots and bushes and flowers with wooden furniture hidden throughout. Try to avoid sharp turns with the paths. Avoid paved slabs and large trees.

Plants	Equipment
Lots of flowers Lots of roses Vine creepers on the house walls	Lots of wooden benches, covered benches are the best Stone paths Arches over pathways Decorative boulders 1 large wooden Pergola Goeteho 1 metal gazebo 5 to 6 fountains Pond(s) Gnome??

The Modern Garden

The best way to build this is to treat your garden as an outdoor room.

Layout: Glass, concrete, and metal replace grass and plants in this competition. Use items and paths with sharp edges, forget about curves. Balance and symmetry is stressed in this competition (match your furniture). Think Feng Shui.

Plants	Equipment
Conifer plants (not trees) Ornamental grass	Gravel Fountains (modern only) Statues (Japanese stone statues) Stones Modular couches Matching square tables

The Japanese Garden

Japanese garden style is about tranquility and relaxation.

Layout: Focus on wood and stone. Decorate around ponds with tiny pebbles, stepping stones, boulders.

Plants	Equipment
Bamboo Cherry trees Japanese maple Rhododendron Bonsai (multiple)	Japanese bench (4-6) Bridges Japanese lanterns Elephant figures Owl figures Boulders Water ponds (both Koi ponds and 1 - 2 of the other ponds) Boulders (recommended 3 near each pond) Pergola Geteho