Ready Steady Grow

Welcome to Ready Steady Grow!

Our annual gardening competition for Sanctuary Supported Living residents is now open. This year, our main category is:

Growing Together Garden Challenge

Transform your outdoor space in any way you choose - brighten it with flowers, grow your own produce or make room for wildlife. It’s all about teamwork, creativity, and enjoying the process.

A bee flying between a purple flower and a sunflower with 'ready steady grow' written over the top

You can also choose from a range of focus areas for the chance to win special spot prizes:
• Wildlife Welcome
• Reuse and Renew
• Champion Crops
• Tallest Sunflower

Ready Steady Grow Decorative Image - Herbs

Whether you’re a resident at one of our supported living services or retirement communities, this competition is for you. Transform your communal garden, allotment, or courtyard in any way you like. With even more prizes available this year, it’s the perfect time to get involved!

Important dates

Monday 30 March 2026: Competition opens – send us an email confirming you are taking part to readysteadygrow@sanctuary.co.uk.
Monday 6 September 2026: Deadline to submit your final photos and entries for the competition.
Monday 14 August – Monday 21 September 2026: Online public vote is open.
Monday 28 September 2026: Winners announced via email, and on our website.

Prizes

Every entrant will receive a certificate of recognition. The winners will receive a trophy and a gift card:

Growing Together Garden Challenge

(Chosen by public vote)
• First Place - “Best Garden Transformation”: £200 gift card
• Runner Up - “Highly Commended Garden”: £100 gift card

Focus Areas

(Chosen by our resident panel members)
• Wildlife Welcome – £100 gift card
• Reuse and Renew – £100 gift card
• Champion Crops – £100 gift card
• Tallest Sunflower – £100 gift card

All winners will be asked to have a photo with their trophy, certificate, and voucher, which will be published on our website. Winners will receive a B&Q gift card, the perfect prize for garden enthusiasts!

Ready Steady Grow Decorative Image - Yellow Sunflower

Judging

Growing Together Garden Challenge

Your entry will be judged by public vote between 14 - 21 September 2026.

Voters love to see before-and-after photos showing how your garden has changed. Think about:
• Colour and impact
• Composition
• Plant health
• Whether your chosen plants will thrive together

Your garden can be big or small – what counts is your creativity and effort.

Spot Prize Areas

Wildlife Welcome
Judged on how well your garden attracts and supports wildlife.

Reuse and Renew
Judged on the most imaginative and effective use of recycled or repurposed items.

Champion Crops
Judged on both the quality of your produce and the variety of fruits and vegetables you’ve managed to grow.

Tallest Sunflower
Judged on height from soil level to the top of the sunflower in centimetres, and the tallest one wins.