You’re invited to create a miniature garden in a wheelbarrow bursting with creativity and personality.
The Wheelbarrow Garden Challenge encourages participants to showcase the power of gardening, proving that no space is too small to make a
difference, while inspiring visitors to appreciate its importance.

All participants are invited to base the design of their wheelbarrow garden on a song of their choice—so let your imagination run wild.

We’re looking for gardens full of personality, enthusiasm, and character—something both beautiful and fun, capturing the imagination and delight of
visitors to Home & Garden Show Ireland. Think vibrant tropical displays inspired by Club Tropicana, a peaceful meadow for Fields of Gold, a bold and colourful garden for Purple Rain, a whimsical woodland for Here
Comes the Sun, or even a rock ‘n’ roll garden inspired by Elvis.

Whether it’s a subtle nod to a favourite lyric or a full creative interpretation with plants, props, and storytelling, you’re encouraged to design something
truly memorable.

Create a garden that sings—ready to be enjoyed by thousands of visitors at the show.

Designs should include a minimum of 40% planting, with the remaining materials complementing your chosen song-inspired theme.

Let music guide your creativity—layer your design with playful, imaginative elements that bring your chosen track to life.

For example, you might create a golden meadow inspired by Fields of Gold, a vibrant explosion of colour for Walking on Sunshine, or a dreamy, romantic garden
for Endless Love. Think about using height, texture, and movement to reflect rhythm,
mood, and energy.

Consider the wildlife you want to support—this will help guide your plant choices.

You could even incorporate features such as canes for solitary bees or mini hedges made from twigs, blending creativity with biodiversity.
Above all, aim to create something thought-provoking, joyful, and full of personality —a design that sparks curiosity and tells a story through music.

Your display must remain within the wheelbarrow—using only the tray and frame

Think of your wheelbarrow as an extension of your living space. Plants and props should be appropriate and proportional in size to the design’s other features and the wheelbarrow.

We ask that all materials used be sustainably sourced and recycled where possible or items that can/will be used after the show. Although participants are welcome
to buy plants and decorations to use in their wheelbarrow, we would encourage people to recycle plants and materials they already own where feasible.

Wheelbarrows will be provided by the Home & Garden Show Ireland with an 80L bag of peat-free compost. The barrow is heavy-duty and does not take long to
assemble.

It is a standard galvanised 85-litre wheelbarrow that you will need to collect from Antrim Castle Gardens in early May, and return to Antrim Castle Gardens on 8 June ahead of the Home & Garden Show Ireland. Your wheelbarrow can be collected after the show finishes on 15th June onwards. It is advised that your design is transported in a vessel that can be planted into the barrow on-site or planted directly into the wheelbarrow and transported to the site.

The legs and frame can be separated from the planting bucket for transportation in an average-sized estate car.

All wheelbarrow exhibits will be judged on the 11 June and awards presented on
12 June 2026.

A selection of 5 awards will be presented by David Domoney:

• Home and Garden Show Ireland Wheelbarrow Challenge Awards – 1st , 2nd & 3rd Place
• People’s Choice Award 
• Children’s Award

Through your involvement at the Home and Garden Show Ireland, we hope to facilitate and develop an understanding, and awareness of and interest in:

• Biodiversity including plants, animals, and microorganisms
• Adaptation & Creative Design
• Micro Landscaping in a small space

We would like these gardens to inspire visitors to the show and develop skills through:

• Working as a team
• Communication
• Kinesthetics
• Commitment of support
• Encouraging as much imagination, curiosity and creativity

Please ensure you have followed the Key Information sections of this factsheet
carefully.