To take a quote from the fabulous Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, I have some news to share with you all. 

I just wanted to give you the heads up that the Yates Spring Vegie Growing Challenge has very sadly come to an end.  However, all is not lost.  This page will have a bit of a makeover and there will be a new heading “Garden Blogs” so you can continue to share updates from your garden all year round and chat with each other.  I will also continue to hang out and chat with my favourite online garden friends.

Personally, the end of the challenge fills me with great sadness although I understand that its season has passed.  It has been a major part of my spring since 2010 so it will be a little strange not to take a virtual garden tour of the country every morning throughout the spring.  But I have some amazing memories and met some fabulous people.  Before the first VGC I hadn’t written much since high school but found a love of writing and linked with the garden it launched me into a career I didn’t expect to have and for that there will always be a soft spot in my heart for this little corner of the internet. 

Back in its heyday hundreds of gardeners would upload their gardening antics every day, hoping to win a share of some amazing prizes, however the nature of online sharing has changed and with the rise of Facebook and Instagram short form content, the longer blog style has fallen out of favour and the number of entrants fell each season, and only the keenest gardeners remain.  While it is still an amazing community, sadly it is no longer sustainable to continue in the challenge format. So here we are now, at the end of an incredible era and it is a privilege and an honour to have been a part of it from the very start.

There are only 6 weeks before the start of spring and I have high hopes for a wonderful growing season.  I have made plans for the garden and in a shock move I have reduced the growing space now that we are empty nesters.  So, for me this spring will feel a little bereft in the vegetable garden.  To distract me from all I’ll be missing,  I am expanding my Palace Garden and taking my coastal journey on an ornamental twist to see just how far I can push the limits in a harsh environment.

So, while this is the end of something remarkable, isn’t goodbye and we look forward to continuing to watch your gardens grow and flourish for seasons to come.  And on behalf of Yates, I want to say a big thank you for all for your contributions to making the Yates Community – in James’ words “The friendliest place on the internet.”  So please stay and linger.  You are always welcome here.

Happy gardening and as always – if you want to get in touch leave a comment below.

Sarah the Gardener : o)