In celebration of Year of the Garden, the Harriston & District Horticultural Society, Clifford & District Horticulture Society, and the Town of Minto are hosting a Garden of the Year Contest and we need YOUR help choosing the People's Choice winner!

Voting Period: August 8th - August 22nd

We encourage you to visit the following gardens in-person on August 13th to best experience these magnificent gardens prior to voting.

• 105 Margaret St S, Harriston
• 18 Clarke St S, Clifford
• 39 Highland RD RR3, Clifford
• 9776 Wellington Rd 3, Clifford
• 16 Lawrence Ave. Harriston
• 9457 Minto Howick Townline
• 150 John St S, Harriston
• 21 Union St E, Harriston
• 7 Minto St, Clifford
• 155 John St N, Harriston
• 188 Webb St. Harriston
• 475 Main St W, Palmerston
• 6463 10th Line RR1 Harriston 

If you are unable to visit, view images of eligible gardens in the PDF below.

People's Choice Eligible Gardens

Vote in-person at the Town of Minto Office or click the poll below to submit your pick for People's Choice.

 Voting is now closed. Thank you to everyone who voted!

To celebrate the Year of the Garden, the Harriston & District Horticultural Society, Clifford & District Horticulture Society, and the Town of Minto is hosting a Garden of the Year Contest.

Prizes will be awarded for

• Overall Winner/Judges Choice
• Runner-Up
• Best Canadian Feature
• People's Choice

Judging Criteria

• General appeal & neatness  (including walkways and hardscape features)
• Layout and use of colour
• Incorporating the colour red to represent the Year of the Garden
• Originality & effectiveness of a unique feature celebrating Canada

Please complete the application below and return it to the Town of Minto Office, along with your $5.00 entrance fee, to participate.

Applications CLOSED.

As part of #YearoftheGardenMinto, we are inviting Minto residents to compete in a Tallest Sunflower Contest. Plant these seeds now, nurture your sunflowers through the summer and see how your tallest one stacks up in September! Judging will take place on Saturday, September 10th, at 9:00am at the #mintofarmersmarket. Bragging rights are guaranteed, but prizes will also be awarded - more details to follow.

How to participate:

• Register and pick up your packet of seeds at the Town of Minto Office (seed supply is limited so don’t wait too long!)
• Grow your sunflowers and reach for the sky!
• Bring your tallest one to be measured at the Minto Farmers’ Market (Palmerston Railway Museum) on September 10th at 9:00am

Download Information Sheet

Sunflower Growing Details & Tips 

• Seeds provided are the Sunflower variety ‘Kong’ which can grow to a height of 12’ or taller and produces golden yellow flowers
• Choose a hot and sunny location with fertile soil
• Sow seeds directly where they are to grow in the garden or field at a depth of ¼” (6mm), and 12-16” (30-40cm) apart
• Keep the soil moist to promote seed germination
• Once seedlings are 4-6” (7-10cm) tall thin out crowded or weaker seedlings to allow sufficient growing space for your strongest plants
• Weekly watering (more frequently during periods of drought) is recommended; you may also want to provide compost or other fertilizers to maximize the potential growth of your sunflowers
• Although the root system is strong once the plants are established, as your plants get taller it may be wise to provide them with some means of support to keep them from being uprooted or broken off during heavy winds
• When you harvest your tallest plant be sure to cut it right at the base, or lift it out with some of the roots intact to ensure you don’t miss out on any of its height!

We would love to see you share photos of your sunflower plants as they grow using #YearoftheGardenMinto