2024 Garden Competition Winners

In-Ground Outdoor Garden Winner:

Christina Hollingsworth

When we first moved to Anderson almost six years ago, I knew I wanted to have a garden.  I had an inground garden the first year and found it extremely challenging to work with the hard red clay in our yard.  Time passed and three children and a few years later....I decided to put in raised beds this year. I knew they would serve us well for years to come.  My grandparents were avid gardeners and I have fond memories of picking fruit and vegetables from their gardens and eating our harvest at mealtime when visiting them.  My sister and I even had a squash sale in their front yard one time....selling baseball bat sized squash and zucchini to neighbors.  My other grandmother would always grow tomatoes on her patio to enjoy in the summer. My grandparents are definitely my gardening inspiration.   While I've had my challenges with squash bugs this season, I have loved watching my plants grow from seed to harvest.  The miracle of the seed is truly amazing and never gets old.  My children have enjoyed being outside with me and finding ways to help in the garden. We have also all enjoyed our new butterfly friends!  The garden has been a wonderful catalyst for learning and time spent as a family outside.

Potted Outdoor Garden Winner:

Gay McLeskey

I researched plants that grow best together. COMPANION PLANTING. I also had to think about Deer and Wildlife Deterrent plants not to mention mosquitos. I love planting flowers and light vegetables before and learned a lot from my parents and Grandparents. I am getting more involved in gardening now that I have a full team of employees and I can spend more time in my garden. Keeping it watered is one of the hardest and working it in this heat and humidity. The best is harvest and enjoying what you grow. I am giddy when I put seeds in the dirt and when it shows its first growth I scream with joy.

Potted Indoor Garden Winner:

Cheryl Crowe

The Monstera Plant was probably the catalyst for my becoming an avid gardener. That was only three years ago. “She“ grew so quickly that she became my claim to fame. I have included a photo of the way she looked when I first bought her. As you can see, she became a giant redwood tree amongst all my other plants and flowers. 

The success I had with the Monstera gave me the feeling that I could grow ANYTHING! Well, that didn’t last long, because I certainly have had my share of plants gone wrong. I have a nasty habit of either overwatering or under watering and that does not make for happy plants. 

I will have to admit, though, that I do have an ideal location for growing happy plants…. a very bright sunroom. I keep the windows open in the summer and close them during cold weather. I usually have the sunroom only warm enough to keep the plants and flowers from freezing. 

You have probably heard the phrase “girls gone wild!“ I think I am a gardener gone wild! Because of the success I’ve had with the Monstera Plant, a Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant, and a Swiss Cheese Plant, my friends call me the plant whisperer! Oh, if that were only true! I do love all my plants and flowers and hope that you enjoy seeing part of my collection. 

Garden Competition Jr. Winner:

Amelia Fallon

How did you decide on which plants to use?

I chose cosmos, sunflowers, coreopsis and other seeds bird’s like because I like all the colors and all the butterflies and hummingbirds like them. I like that they love bright colored flowers and seeing all the honeybees buzzing around. It’s like our own botanical garden. 

What work did you have to do to plant and maintain your garden?

I chose things birds like to eat and the birds did the work planting. I watered them daily with watering jugs using our new rain collection bins. I think those are pretty cool because it’s using water from the environment. I also like when it rains so I don’t have to water them but I can just watch them be watered by the rain from the porch.

What has been the hardest part of having a garden?

It’s a lot of work to keep up with especially with soccer and ballet. It’s a bit difficult to be like, “I gotta do this and then I gotta do that.” But it’s not super difficult.

What has been the best part of having a garden?

The best part is being able to go outside and water them and then eat outside and hang out with them all peacefully and it’s really chill even though it’s really hot. I like the resting moment in the garden.