Victorian Schools Garden Program

Free School Excursion to Show

Hands on kids’ activities & education at Australia’s premier garden show

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show presented by Scotts in partnership with Victorian Schools Garden Program, are delighted to welcome school aged children and their teachers to enjoy a free suite of gardening activities to encourage the use of outdoor spaces at schools, and educate and inspire the next generation of green thumbs.

The Schools Program, running from Wednesday 20th March – Friday 22nd March, will deliver a range of activities, all designed to promote a true connection and understanding of the natural environment.

The Schools Program is open to all Victorian schools. Registrations for the free excursion are now open – to register your school’s attendance click here.  

Scotts Kids Bingo!

Scotts Show Bingo is back and fun for the whole family! Download the Bingo Card and search high and low to find all the things on your card. Once you’re done, head to the Scotts Welcome Garden for your winners stamp!

Sustainable Scarecrow School Competition

Expressions of interest now open!

All Victorian kindergartens and schools are invited to enter the Sustainable Scarecrow Competition.

The Sustainable Scarecrows will be showcased in the Grow Together Garden at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, sharing and inspiring the possibility of recycling and reusing for the community.

Register your scarecrow entry by Friday 1 March (confirms your entry and provides information for printing scarecrow signage).

2024 Sustainable Scarecrow Competition Brief and entry process.

If you have any questions, please email the VSGP at [email protected] or via phone on 9567 0599.

Grow Together Garden presented by Victorian Schools Garden Program and Foodcube – Site ??

The Grow Together Garden will bring together beautiful edible garden displays, celebrating the multiculturalism of our amazing city. This year, we feature a Cambodian garden and Indian garden with thanks to the Cambodian Association of Victoria and the Federation of Indian Associations Victoria.

There will be lots of free garden based educational kids’ activities throughout the space, interactive demonstrations, a sustainable scarecrow display and much more, all encouraging kids to explore, learn and grow their passion for gardening, nature and plants.

Victorian Schools Garden Program – Site TBC

The VSGP invites children and to get their hands dirty potting an edible plant that they can take home, watch grow, cook and eat in a recipe provided. Children/students of all ages can also explore the microscopic world of vegetables, plant and insects.

Wheen Bee Foundation

The Wheen Bee Foundation is bringing an exciting interactive display to the Grow Together Garden. There will be activities for bee lovers of all ages, with teachers from Bee School by Beechworth Honey on hand with fun and educational resources from the Centre for Bee Education. Activities include an observation hive, a native bee display, Powerful Pollinator Planting Guides and daily prize giveaways for teachers and the general public.

Urban Plant Health Network

The Urban Plant Health Network will be back this year to encourage all kids to be pest warriors and look out for bugs in their backyards. Our favourite Agriculture Victoria entomologists, horticulture and biosecurity staff will be around to talk about good bugs and bad bugs you can expect to find in your neighbourhood and how to report pests if you find them.

There will be free showbags for kids and live minibeasts on display as well as preserved insects.