Main Categories

Consideration will be given for the exclusion of drain beds or access footpath between crops.

Horizontal Pipes – Approx. 40-50 sqft

• 10ft long
• Pipes 2ft apart
• Holes at least 1” apart – 9 grow holes per pipe

Vertical Pipes – 15-20 sqft

• 4-5ft height not including the water collection container
• Pipes 3ft apart depending on crop
• Growing space with holes at least 1’ apart – 18 holes per pipe

Stacked Pots – 15 - 20 sqft

• 4-5ft height not including water collection container
• Pipes 3ft apart depending on crop
• Grow space – 4 plants per pot
• No soil Grow media

Media grow bed – 16-32sq feet

• Grow media – no soil
• Type of Crops used would determine grow space ie. long term crops would occupy more space than seasonings and leafy greens
• Eg. 4x4 space can accommodate – 1 row of 6 chive; 1 row of 5 shadon beni; 1 row of 3 patchoi and 1 row of 3 lettuce

A-frame is a vertical and horizontal pipe hybrid combo ~ 30sq ft

Holes at least 1ft apart

4. Individuals registering for the aquaponics category must indicate on the registration form whether they are using an existing or newly established system.
5. Participants below the age of eighteen (18) years entering the competition individually (not taking part in the family category) will be required to enter the Best Junior Kitchen Garden

The Special Categories include:

1. Most Innovative Kitchen Garden
2. Most Sustainable Kitchen Garden
3. Best Influencer Kitchen Garden
4. People’s Choice
5. Most Decorative Kitchen Garden
6. Best Family Kitchen Garden

6. To qualify for the Best Influencer Kitchen Garden, the influencer must have over 3,000 followers on either IG, FB, or Tic Toc. The influencer must choose from the six (6) main categories. Influencers must share each of their videos on their personal social media pages using the hashtage #giy #growityourself #bestvillage #mscd and tag MSCD. All three (3) videos must also be uploaded to the microsite. The influencer’s garden will be adjudicated as the other main categories. The influencers will also be judged via votes on the microsite throughout the competition for this special category. The final tally of votes for all three (3) videos will be completed at the end of the competition. The judges’ scores will carry a weight of 60% whilst, the votes attained will account for 40% of the influencer’s score. The weighted scores will be used to determine the Best Influencer Kitchen Garden.

7. To be considered for the Best Family Garden, competitors must indicate that they are participating as a family on the registration form. To qualify for this category, two (2) or more persons from the same household must participate. This category will be adjudicated as the other categories. However, family members must be listed or identified, and their video submissions should demonstrate their participation through their roles in the preparation and maintenance of the garden.

8. Crops can be planted in any object available (e.g. ground, grow box, pot etc.) and may be of any shape but must:
   • Be grown at the home of the competitor or be within close proximity of the competitor’s property; and
   • Adhere as much as possible to the recommended square footage for the various categories.

9. Competitors are required to maintain a crop journal which should contain information such as:
   • The date of planting;
   • The crop variety;
   • Cultural practices (integrated pest management, fertilisation, watering, sanitation, moulding etc.); and
   • Yield

10. Competitors will be required to submit three (3) videos.

• The videos must not be longer than two (2) minutes (120 seconds) each showcasing their garden.
• Videos must not be a series of images/photo collage. It should be a recording of their garden, crops, and the information contained in the crop record as well as, measures taken to adhere to health and safety practices.
• When recording competitors are to describe their garden (size, category, name of crops). The description can be included in writing in the video or audio.
• Please ensure that proper lighting is used when recording the videos. The contents of the video must be clearly visible for judging.
• Participants are to ensure that the audio in the video is clear (judges must be able to clearly hear the participant/s in the video).
• Participants are advised to utilise the entire frame when creating videos. Please avoid pillar boxing bars / letter boxing as this makes it harder for the judges to see your garden and the contents of the video.

Please avoid this →

The top three (3) winners will be announced for each of the Eleven (11) Administrative Districts throughout Trinidad and Tobago, namely:

• St George East;
• St George West;
• Victoria East;
• Victoria West;
• Caroni South;
• Caroni North;
• St Patrick East;
• St Patrick West;
• Nariva/Mayaro;
• St Andrew/St David; and
• Tobago

ADJUDICATION

District and Overall categories will be adjudicated by a panel of experts selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and the Ministry of Sports and Community Development (MSCD). Participants must attain an average score of sixty-five (65) and above to be considered for a district and / or overall prize. The small, medium and large kitchen gardens will be judged at both the district and overall level. Whilst, the hydroponic, aquaponic and Best Junior Kitchen garden will be judged at the overall level. The top three (3) participants with an average score of 65 and above will comprise the district winners within each main category (small, medium and large) in each of the eleven (11) Administrative Districts. 1st place winners will move forward for consideration for the overall prize in their category. Overall winners will be chosen from the top three (3) gardens in each main category (small, medium and large). Similarly, the top three (3) participants with an average score of 65 and over within the hydroponic, aquaponic and best junior garden categories will comprise the overall winners. One (1) average point will be deducted for every 20 seconds over the stipulated time of two (2) minutes (120 seconds).   Winners of the following special categories will be selected from all thirty-three (33) 1st place District winners as well as the winner of the Best Junior Kitchen Garden:

• Most Innovative Kitchen Garden;
• Most Sustainable Kitchen Garden; and
• Most Decorative Kitchen Garden.

The Most Innovative Kitchen Garden prize will be given to the competitor with the highest Overall Innovation score. The Most Sustainable Kitchen Garden prize will be given to the competitor with the highest Overall Sustainability score.   The Most Decorative Kitchen Garden prize will be given to the competitor with the highest Overall Decorative score.   The Best Family Garden prize will be given to the top competitor in the family category with the highest overall average score of sixty-five (65) and above. The People’s Choice Award will be issued based on the competitor whose videos achieved the most amount of votes on the MSCD’s website. The Best Influencer Choice Award will be issued based on the competitors’ scores and number of votes achieved on the MSCD’s website.

PRIZES BREAKDOWN:

Click here to download our Declaration

Click here to download the Crop Record Sheet

Click here to download the GIY Permission Form for Property Use